Originally Posted by bcredliner

The WHO and CDC were two of the sources for the information provided to Trump in February. The CDC 'reports' to Trump. Both make recommendations to those that make the decisions of what action will be taken. Neither have any power to initiate action.

COVID-19 was a novel virus. As the organizations learned about the virus they revised the recommendations giving the appearance that they didn't know what they were doing or had been lying but that was not the case. Recall that at that time China would not release any of their findings so they couldn't do much until the virus spread into Europe.

Per Woodward's book, I have read it and am almost through it a second time listening to audio version, he was also warned by one of his advisors who had spent several years in China and had sources there. He was told to consider the virus to be similar, as dangerous as the Spanish Flu of 1918.

Early on the daily COVID-19 updates were strictly from the health experts. Trump didn't want the truth out so he put Pence in charge. He still wasn't satisfied so he took over the updates and started lying about what was going and the Corona virus update became a few sentences and then it was all about how great a job he was doing, how it was under control and would soon be gone. The rest became a mini campaign speech.