Even in insane times
Berlin is trying to stop Washington from persuading a German company seeking a coronavirus vaccine to move its research to the United States, prompting German politicians to insist no country should have a monopoly on any future vaccine.
Germany’s Health Ministry confirmed a report in newspaper Welt am Sonntag, which said President Donald Trump had offered funds to lure the company CureVac to the United States, and the German government was making counter-offers to tempt it to stay.
“The German government is very interested in ensuring that vaccines and active substances against the new coronavirus are also developed in Germany and Europe,” the newspaper quoted a Health Ministry official as saying. “In this regard, the government is in intensive exchange with the company CureVac.”
Contacted by Reuters, a spokeswoman for the German Health Ministry said: “We confirm the report in the Welt am Sonntag.”
The German government probably suspects, probably correctly, that if Trump did succeed in luring CureVac here he would surround it with marines and small nuclear weapons, and demand a hefty percentage of the sales.
Karl Lauterbach, a professor of health economics and epidemiology who is also a senior lawmaker with the Social Democrats, junior partners in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition, tweeted in reaction to the Welt am Sonntag report: “The exclusive sale of a possible vaccine to the USA must be prevented by all means. Capitalism has limits.”
Not in Trump world it doesn’t. Just think of all the billions he could make from a vaccine!
The American CEO has now left the company, and the German founder has returned as CEO.
Not only would Trump seek to limit any vaccine to the United States, he would be sure to ration it within the United States. Salvation at a price. Of course, no freebies. A vote for Trump, the wearing of MAGA/KAG hats, signature on an NDA, and support for President for Life status will be further requirements for inocculation.
If one were to elect a shady real estate speculator as president, it’s not to big of a stretch to imagine that these strategies might become the basis for national policy.
A) Lie, cheat, and steal to make a quick buck – after all once the sale is final it’s someone else’s problem. The art of the deal is to kick the can down the road and not be standing when the music stops.
B) Cover up any deficiencies – again it’ll become someone else’s problem.
C) Somebody has to lose if you’re gonna win. Win-win is for losers.
D) Corner the market and jack the prices
E) Make the deal, pocket the cash, and move on. You’ll be long gone before it hits the fan.
E) Slap a coat of paint on it and call it good
F) Bribe or bully anyone who can make waves
G) Get your family in on the take
H) Don’t pay for anything
I) Never admit liability
I’m sure there are others.
And what’s the bet it will be made most easily available to conservative states?