A few days ago, NBC News reporter Peter Alexander accused President Trump of offering Americans a "false sense of hope" in the midst of the Wuhan virus pandemic. Trump noted, rightfully, that Alexander was a terrible reporter who seemed more interested in promoting panic rather than balanced optimism over potential treatments that could be effective against COVID-19. In Alexander's defense, there are a lot of terrible reporters.
A drug known as (hydroxy)chloroquine, for example, has been used for decades to treat malaria and anecdotal evidence suggests the drug may also be effective at treating COVID-19. The drug is approved by the FDA to treat other ailments and sufferers of the coronavirus could begin receiving the drug, the reasoning goes, in case the preliminary data is correct and the drug is an effective treatment for COVID-19.
Of course, when Trump touts the potential treatment the media accuses him of giving Americans a "false sense of hope." But when Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that New York has acquired 70,000 units of hydroxychloroquine and 750,000 units of chloroquine, the media hail the governor for his leadership.
Here's CNN's Brian Stelter praising Gov. Cuomo for "providing hope but not false hope" when the governor is just repeating the same thing the president said days ago.
MUST WATCH: CNN & the Fake News media double standard ??
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) March 22, 2020
When @realDonaldTrump expresses optimism about hydroxychloroquine treating the coronavirus it’s “false hope”
When the Democrat Governor of New York does it, it’s actual “hope” & “leadership”
Can’t have it both ways! pic.twitter.com/UmLzYHPHsd
"[W]e are all optimistic that it could work," Gov. Cuomo said about the potential treatment on Sunday. "I have spoken with a number of health officials and there is a good basis to believe that they could work."
BREAKING: Gov. Cuomo says New York will start implementing the trial drugs to treat Coronavirus and that they have acquired 70,000 Hydroxychloroquine, 10,000 Zithromax, and 750,000 Chloroquine from the Federal Government.
— ALX ???? (@alx) March 22, 2020
Trials to start Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/5Zo74wOLUU
There is certainly conclusive evidence to show the media are politicizing this pandemic to unfairly criticize President Trump.
"The president ordered the FDA to move," Gov. Cuomo admitted, "and the FDA moved."
The governor said drug trials will begin in New York on Tuesday.