Trump laughs off Europe’s Draconian coronavirus lockdowns

President Donald Trump. | Jim Mone/AP Photo
  • The US president has hit out at second lockdowns announced this week by several European countries.
  • His top infectious diseases expert has broken ranks, saying Donald Trump’s rival is taking the pandemic “seriously.”

US President Donald Trump has criticized several European countries for announcing fresh nationwide lockdowns, describing the measures as “draconian.” Trump told a campaign rally in Michigan.

Biden, who polls say is maintaining an overall lead over Trump, hit back over the president’s record on the pandemic.

“More than 230,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 — and Donald Trump has given up on trying to get the virus under control,” he said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, the US government’s top infectious diseases expert said the country should prepare for “a whole lot of hurt” in the weeks ahead due to surging coronavirus cases.

Fauci, who is on the White House coronavirus task force, added that he believes Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden “is taking it [the pandemic] seriously from a public health perspective,” while Trump is “looking at it from a different perspective.”

In response, White House spokesman Judd Deere said Fauci had decided “to play politics” right before Tuesday’s presidential election.