LEADERS & LOSERS

There’s nothing like a crisis to show us which heads of state are worthy of the position and who should be shown the door

- LAVERN DE VRIES

DONALD TRUMP (73)

The American president has been handling the crisis badly, by most accounts.

The US has more than 1,5 million confirmed coronavirus cases, with a death toll of more than 90 000 – the highest in the world.

Trump was slow to enforce a lockdown and quick to push for reopening the economy.

He’s been blasted by scientists, medics and other world leaders. Even former President Barack Obama said the US government’s response has been “an absolute chaotic disaster”.

From the outset Trump downplayed the danger of the virus, reassuring Americans “it’s something we have tremendous control over”. He’s gone from denial to blame to suggesting household disinfectant as a treatment to touting an anti-malaria drug as a cure-all while disregarding the advice of scientists, doctors and health experts.

POOR PERFORMERS

JOHN MAGUFULI (60)

While most countries were going into lockdown and banning large gatherings, Tanzanian president John Magufuli urged his citizens to keep going to churches and mosques.

“Corona is the devil and it can’t survive in the body of Jesus,” he said. The president’s instruction to pray it away hasn’t worked. At the time of going to print there were 21 coronavirus- related deaths and 509 infections, with the numbers spiking.

The sharp rise of Covid-19 cases is due to “faulty” test kits, according to the African leader.

JAIR BOLSONARO (65)