(don't faint).. there were a LOT of people around the world who simply did not know what to do at first. I mean the last global pandemic was 1918.

As for the odd recommendations, I guess you can say "it's trump, what do you expect?"

Some points regarding how other contries responded:

Nearly all countries—more than 150 nations worldwide—used social distancing and recommended or mandated mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Nearly all countries—more than 150 nations worldwide—used social distancing and recommended or mandated mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic