To the editor:

Rep. Elise Stefanik claims she’s “committed to exposing the Chinese … cover-up of COVID-19, which caused the death of tens of thousands of Americans.” In the debate, Vice President Pence blamed the Chinese for the United States leading the world in COVID-19 cases.

Exactly how did the Chinese “cover up” COVID-19 only to the U.S.? Are they responsible for the U.S., with 5% of the world’s population, having 21% of the world’s cases and 20% of the world’s deaths for COVID-19?

Europe, with 741 million people, cites 5.7 million cases, while the U.S. (328 million) has 7.6 million cases. Chinese plot? (https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases)

Stefanik praised Trump’s travel restrictions from China as “decisive action.” In fact, it was too late, with the virus already here, and over 30 other countries also took measures then.

Trump admitted to Bob Woodward in February the virus was “deadly stuff,” “more deadly than even your strenuous flus,” and also that he liked “playing it down, because I don’t want to create a panic.” Trump definitely was “playing it down”: “It’s like a miracle. It’s going to disappear.”

After mocking governors’ efforts to contain the virus and mask wearing as “politically correct,” after promoting discredited drugs and Lysol treatments, after holding rallies with little social distancing or mask wearing, Trump and over 30 associates have now tested positive. Unabashed, Trump endangered Secret Service agents on a joyride in a confined space and told a nation grieving 212,000 deaths, “Don’t be afraid of it! You’re gonna beat it!”

Does Stefanik criticize this? Nope. She praises Trump and participated in his Tulsa rally where signs warning people to sit apart were removed.

Other nations were not deceived by the Chinese. Stefanik connects herself tightly to this incompetency.

Vote for Tedra Cobb, a voice of integrity, with a commitment to protecting health care.

Ginger Storey-Welch

Colton