WASHINGTON-Thursday, United States President Donald Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force once again addressed the media at the White House for the daily briefing.
The meeting started later than usual because Trump, United States Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and United States Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao each spoke with Russian president Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabian Prime Minister Salman of Saudi Arabia.
They were discussing the oil industry and the airline industry each of which are important components of the global economy.
In his relatively brief remarks this evening, Trump express “sincere gratitude to the American people.”
Trump confirmed that United Kingdom Prime Minster Boris Johnson has been moved out of intensive care as he is progressing from his case of COVID-19.
Trump then waxed philosophical, saying “even though we’re staying physically apart, no American is alone.”
Trump confirmed that New York-based Pfizer Inc. may have created a treatment that can stop the virus from replicating. He reported that it will be “testing in clinical trials very soon.”
Furthermore, Trump said, 19 therapies to combat COVID-19 are being tested. Hydroxychloroquine and Zpacks are being distributed for use by doctors at their discretion, he continued. Trump stated that the Food and Drug Administration is working with Congress to implement the Paycheck Protection Plan.
Trump also alluded to an act that occurred earlier Thursday when the Department of Education administered $6 billion for students impacted by suspended classes to universities and colleges via grants.
Trump further reported that 2 million COVID-19 tests have been conducted nationally. He continued his remarks by speaking about businesses in the country, saying $600 billion in loans will be administered to mid-sized business. An additional $500 billion, he stated, will be granted to cities/counties with populations exceeding a million.
Trump again called for identity politics to be abolished, saying “Democrats and Republicans need to come together to get this legislation completed.”
He further emphasized this point, declaring, “bipartisan approval is necessary.”
Trump stated that “certain sections of the country are in phenomenal shape already,” while the hot spots still need some assistance.
In fielding questions during his limited time, Trump reported that “the oil market will work out.”
After Trump departed, Vice President Mike Pence then addressed the media. After listing the present fatalities from COVID-19, he confirmed “our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones.”
Although the hot spots are still having considerable problems with COVID-19, he said, he still expressed optimism, saying “we continue to see evidence of stabilization.”
Pence shared further optimism, saying that he believes the peak is approaching.
Pence alluded to conversations he had with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimando wherein he sought to ensure that the needs of all states were being met.
Pence confirmed that 54 major disaster areas have been declared because of COVID-19.
Two Airbridge flights were slated to arrive, Pence said, and were expected to touch down at Chicago, New York and Dallas/Fort Worth.
He concluded his comments by saying “there are signs of progress and hope abounds.”
White House Coronavirus Task Force coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said that 56 percent of all Americans tested for COVID-19 are females, so she exhorted males to get themselves tested if they are sympomatic.
She also expressed her hopes for nursing homes to have “sentinel surveillance.”
During his brief remarks, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said his intent is to sound like a broken record when he reminded Americans of the importance of adhering to social distance procedures.
Fauci confirmed that the substance is in the data, calling it “real” as opposed to the model, which is a “hypothesis,” when asked if the models are clear indicators as to when the peak will occur.
In conclusion, United States Secretary of Labor, Eugene Scalia, spoke of the 6.6 million unemployment claims that were filed last week amid the economic downfall that COVID-19 has caused.
Scalia then alluded to newly-drafted laws, such as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the CARES Act.
Families First allows small businesses to be reimbursed for providing their ailing employees sick leave. The CARES Act offers $600 weekly “plus-ups,” or bonus payments that are intended to make these workers “whole” as well as possible.
In alluding to the Payback Protection Plan, Scalia said that if America “is disciplined now,” the economy can be as vibrant as it was before.
Scalia, in concluding his remarks, spoke of the “blue collar bounce-back.” This consists of, he said, employers keeping their workers on the payroll through these tough times.
When the pall of COVID-19 is lifted and the country is open for business again, he continued, businesses already have the workers they need and the economy can progress without skipping a beat.
Trump and his White House coronavirus task force will again address the media Friday.
