The single best leader on coronavirus this week

No politician (or person) under those circumstances gets every decision right. (Yes, this includes President Donald Trump — despite his assertions of how incredibly well he and his administration are doing in response to the virus.)

The key to real leadership in the time of coronavirus, then, is not to make every call right. It’s to know when you go too far — or not far enough — and correct your course.

There was a public outcry. And DeWine heard it — and evolved.

“There is a wise, old saying: ‘None of us is as smart as all of us,’ “DeWine tweeted on Tuesday, reversing the mask policy for stores. “And so, as we continue our journey together, to battle our shared enemy, I will continue to listen to your thoughts and ideas as we move through this process. … We’ve heard you. We will not mandate that retail customers wear a mask. But we strongly recommend that you do.”

Most politicians wouldn’t do that. Admit an error, acknowledge it and note that he still thinks the best policy is to err on the side of safety. Because they would think that admitting error would open a Pandora’s box in terms of people questioning their leadership and ability to make key decisions.

DeWine isn’t most politicians. He has been willing to take bold steps — he was the first governor in the country to close schools to deal with coronavirus — based on what he believes to be in the best interests of Ohioans and to listen when the public chafes against his guidelines.

It’s that measured approach that has made DeWine one of the most popular governors in the country. Voters get it. When a politician is willing to be transparent, show his cards and make necessary course corrections, people reward him, not punish him, for it.

The Point: DeWine is blazing a path on how to lead — and listen — in dealing with a challenge the likes of which the country has never seen before. More politicians — Republicans and Democrats — should look to his blueprint for guidance.

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