The coronavirus stress may have gotten to Andrew Ross Sorkin and Joe Kernen on CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Wednesday. In many ways, the argument between Sorkin and Kernen reflects nationwide polarization over just how aggressive the U.S. should have been in combating COVID-19.What HappenedThe argument broke out after Kernen suggested Sorkin has been overly pessimistic about COVID-19."You panicked about the market, panicked about COVID, panicked about the ventilators, panicked about the PPE, panicked about ever going out again, panicked if we'd ever get back to normal," Kernan said.Sorkin Fires BackSorkin responded by accusing Kernen of dismissing death tolls and risks associated with the coronavirus due to his allegiance to President Donald Trump."100,000 people died, Joe, and all you did was try to help your friend the president. That's what you did … Every single morning on this show you have used and abused your position, Joe," Sorkin said.> "I'm begging you to do the news, Joseph!" pic.twitter.com/DwVO5Ox5FJ> > — Rob Tornoe (@RobTornoe) May 27, 2020Kernen previously worked for 10 years as a stockbroker before joining CNBC in 1995. Sorkin is a financial columnist for the New York Times, author of the book "Too Big To Fail" and co-creator of the Showtime series "Billions.""That's totally unfair," Kernen said in response to Sorkin's accusations. "I'm trying to help investors keep their cool, keep their heads. And as it turns out, that's what they should have done."Benzinga's TakeIt's possible that both Sorkin and Kernen's arguments were valid, but they were addressing two different matters.Kernen is correct in that investors who didn't panic have made huge profits given the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE: SPY) is up 34.2% since March 23. However, the COVID-19 US death toll is over 100,000 at this point, so the virus was and is certainly worth taking seriously.Do you agree with this take? Email feedback@benzinga.com with your thoughts.Related Links:NYSE To Reopen Trading Floor On Limited Basis Why Stock Exchange Floor Closings Could Be Creating End-Of-Day VolatilitySee more from Benzinga * What The Yield Curve Is Saying About The Stock Market Rally * Fed Chair Powell To Congress: US Economic Downturn 'Without Modern Precedent' * 4 Reasons Investors Should Prepare For 'Liberal Landslide' In November(C) 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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