Trump declared the coronavirus a public health emergency while Red China was still trying to cover things up, and close to two weeks before the UN came up with their Newspeak designation “COVID-19”. So how is Rush “minimizing” anything?
Compare what Rush says versus what President Trump and VP Pence say. Rush says stuff like "this is going to be nothing mark my words...it's just like (flu, swine flu, ebola etc)...we're going to find out that it kills not very many".
Compare this to public statements and press conferences: "Serious threat. Taking it seriously. Potential to widespread cases. Prepare for the worst hope for the best. "
Our government is taking it seriously and going all out to stop it because they seem to recognize that if they don't it's a huge threat. Rush mean time seems to dip and roll into "it's a big nothing burger" talk.