Former US President George W. Bush has issued a rousing call to Americans to unite during the coronavirus pandemic, while current President Donald Trump continues to lock horns with Democrats over the nation's response. Bush, whose own White House tenure saw the US ravaged by the September 11 terrorist attacks, sent a message to the American people that 'we are human beings' who 'rise or fall together' and are 'not partisan combatants'. In a video released by the George W. Bush Presidential Center Saturday for the 24-hour Unite benefit, he urges people to 'remember how small our differences are' and come together to fight the 'invisible enemy' and support one another during the crisis.
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His call for unity comes as the US political parties are more divided than ever before with Trump battling with Democrat governors, senators and representatives on a near-daily basis.
He also lashed out at the Democratic governor of Maine for being too strict with residents during the pandemic.
On Saturday, however, Bush's message of solidarity overshadowed the words of the president.
Bush, who helped the country recover from the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, reminded that American people that 'we are human beings' who'rise or fall together' and are 'not partisan combatants'.
In a video released by the George W. Bush Presidential Center Saturday for the 24-hour Unite benefit, he urged people to 'remember how small our differences are' and come together to fight the 'invisible enemy' and support one another during the crisis.
His call for unity comes as the US political parties are more divided than ever before with Trump battling with Democrat governors, senators and representatives on a near daily basis.
'This is a challenging and solemn time in the life of our nation and world - a remorseless, invisible enemy threatens the elderly and vulnerable among us,' Bush's voice is heard saying against a video montage of various images of American life.
'A disease that can quickly take breath and life. Medical professionals are risking their own health for the health of others, and we're deeply grateful.
'Officials at every level are setting out the requirements of public health that protect us all, and we all need to do our part.'
The footage starts with a reel of images showing the old normal - pictures of children smiling, brides on their wedding days, large celebrations such as the Chinese New Year, men in barber shops and people dancing together.
Bush admits that the current situation is one of 'loneliness' where 'a hug, a touch - can bring the opposite of the good we intend' as social distancing guidelines mean people cannot currently enjoy typical human interaction.
But, though it is 'frustrating', these measures are critical to protecting lives, he points out.
'The disease also threatens broader damage, harm to our sense of safety, security and community. The larger challenge we share is to confront an outbreak of fear and loneliness,' he said.
Former President George W. Bush issued a rousing call to Americans to unite during the coronavirus pandemic
Bush at Ground Zero three days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks: In the video he reminds Americans that the nation has faced times of crisis before, when 2,977 people were killed in the attacks across New York City, Washington DC and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
'And it is frustrating that many of the normal tools of compassion - a hug, a touch - can bring the opposite of the good we intend. In this case, we serve our neighbor by separating from them.'
Bush encourated people to find new ways to connect.
'We cannot allow physical separation to become emotional isolation. This requires us to be not only compassionate but creative in our outreach - and people across the nation are using the tools of technology and the cause of solidarity,' he says.
Bush goes on to remind Americans that the nation has faced and come through times of crisis before, when 2,977 people were killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks across New York City, Washington DC and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
As president at the time of the attacks, Bush led the nation through its last great test.
His approval rating by the American public soared after 9/11 and the nation showed signs of unity.
People rallied behind the phrase ‘United We Stand’ and patriotism skyrocketed, polls taken in the aftermath revealed.
Bush reminded people of this time in the video as stills of him meeting emergency responders at Ground Zero after the attacks play across the audio.
'In this time of testing, we need to remember a few things. First, let us remember that we have faced times of testing before. Following 9/11, we saw a great nation rise as one to honor the brave, to grieve with the grieving and to embrace unavoidable new duties. And I have no doubt - none at all - that this spirit of sacrifice is alive and well in America,' he said.
Medical workers in New York battle the pandemic: Bush admits social distancing is 'frustrating' but these measures are critical to protecting lives
Images then turn to modern day, of people delivering food to the doors of elderly neighbors, sewing masks to protect people from the virus and food donations being handed out to Americans in need.
Bush calls for people to remember 'empathy' and to be mindful that some groups - 'the elderly, the ill, and the unemployed' - are being harder-hit by the pandemic than others.
'Second, let us remember that empathy and simple kindness are essential, powerful tools of national recovery. Even at an appropriate social distance, we can find ways to be present in the lives of others - to ease their anxiety and share their burdens,' he said.
'Third, let's remember that the suffering we experience as a nation does not fall evenly. In the days to come, it will be especially important to care for the elderly, the ill, and the unemployed.'
'Finally let us remember how small our differences are in the face of this shared threat.'
He added: 'In the final analysis, we are not partisan combatants - we are human beings, equally vulnerable and equally wonderful in the sight of God. We rise or fall together and we are determined to rise. God bless you all.'
The former president's calls for unity comes as the Trump administration has been embroiled in ongoing clashes with Democrats over the country's response to the pandemic.
Analysis released last week revealed the president had spent a total of two hours attacking the media and Democrats over the course of his daily coronavirus press briefings.
Studies from the Washington Post and the New York Times found the daily meetings have been used for the president to praise his own response to the pandemic and attack his rivals.
Outside of press briefings, Trump has almost-daily jibes with Democrats on social media.
He launched yet another spat Saturday - this one targeting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi because of her decision to reject the White House's offer to provide Congress with rapid coronavirus testing.
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