WASHINGTON-Wednesday, United States president Donald Trump addressed the media as part of the White House Coronavirus Task Force’s daily briefing.
Trump started out his comments by denouncing the media for their fake news concerning comments made by American virologist and Centers for Disease Control director Dr. Robert R. Redfield to The Washington Post.
Trump then had Redfield speak to clarify what he said about a potential second wave of COVID-19 occurring in the autumn of 2020, and it reportedly being worse than the ongoing wave.
Redfield said “I didn’t say that this was going to be worse. I said it was going to be more difficult and potentially complicated because we’ll have flu and coronavirus circulate at the same time.”
Redfield continued saying, the U.S. is building public health capacity now to ensure that the country stays in the containment mode for the upcoming fall and winter season.
Therefore, Redfield said, medical specialists will not need to resort to the kind of mitigation that America was forced to engage in this current season.
As a way to fortify themselves against the flu this autumn, Redfield said Americans should “embrace the flu vaccine.”
Redfield confirmed he was accurately quoted in The Washington Post, confirming that it will be difficult to discern between the flu and coronavirus. Redfield wants to ensure the situation is as clear as possible for Americans.
When asked about reopening states, Trump said “I encourage governors to follow a careful, phased approach. I want them to do what they think is best.” He confirmed he has spoken to California Governor Gavin Newsom, stating he will help him in expanding testing in the Golden State.
White House Coronavirus Task Force coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx spoke briefly, saying the CDC is presently putting in place what will be necessary in the fall. She confirmed that health officials hope flu infections also go down since people are more prepared to fight these respiratory illnesses.
When asked how he felt about Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s decision to open his state Friday, Trump said he disagreed with him, saying he should have waited a little longer.
Trump confirmed Harvard & Stanford “will not accept the funds” from the stimulus aid package.
He continued, saying [White House] administration is working closely with governors to ensure strategies are in place to mitigate spread for the most vulnerable in our population.
Technical assistance through one-on-one phone calls must also occur, he said and [U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development] Dr. Ben Carson is to spearhead economic initiatives for African-American communities.
Trump said that the economy will be lifted up to a level of prosperity that will exceed its previous greatness prior to the shutdown.
He further explained that his temporary immigration freeze is to save American jobs and healthcare resources. Since Wednesday was Earth Day, the 50th commemoration of the event, he confirmed he planted a tree with his wife, Melania Trump. He is also looking forward to national parks reopening.
Vice President Mike Pence then spoke, saying the Detroit metro area is past its peak [of COVID-19 infections] and cited stabilization and declines in the disease in Houston, Atlanta and Baltimore.
Pence stated the full weight of the U.S. economy is being used to assist in this crisis.
Pence continued, saying “We continue to see encouraging signs because the American people have been putting into practice the guidance that has been issued.”
Next, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases physician/immunologist director, Dr. Anthony Fauci, spoke.
Fauci said Americans must maintain a careful, measured way to reopen the country. The phases presented by the White House will fulfill this purpose, he said. He exhorted Americans to “follow our formula,” warning that if this is not done, a rebound of the disease may occur.
He declared, “physical distancing has worked. It got us to where we are today. It is a successful formula.” He said that social distancing is the basis to seriously consider the reopening of the nation. He further warned that as soon as the country opens, that the pandemic is not finished.
Fauci stated his beliefs that coronavirus will recur in the autumn but the upside is, he continued, that America will be more sufficiently prepared to contain the virus at that time. Fauci said that the nation’s collective response to the disease will determine how big or small it is.
Trump was again asked about his immigration freeze, saying “it’s a very powerful order. It’s 60 days.” He left open the option of changing or extending it. This will be contingent on how things progress, he said.
When asked about the return of sports, Trump said that stadiums are going to be the way they have been for the past century. He implied that sports will be the way they have always been. Trump said he has advised the owners of various sports franchises not to take seats out of their stadiums.
He said that if the virus should recur in the autumn as has been projected, “we’re gonna put it out very fast.”
In his concluding comments, Pence was asked about ventilators to which he replied, “No American who has required a ventilator has been denied one.”
Trump was then asked about Iran and how he has commanded the U.S. Navy to “shoot down and destroy Iranian gunboats” should they harass any American ships or fleets.
He replied, “Iran knows my position; it is different from [former U.S. President Barack] Obama’s. Rules of engagement for our United States military will not need to be changed in order to follow the directive to destroy aggressive Iranian vessels.”
Surgeon General of the United States Jerome Adams then spoke, saying that access to coronavirus testing for “under-tested, under-served and minority communities” will be increased.
In fielding a question concerning the possibility of animals (pets) infected with coronavirus spreading it to humans, Facui said, “certainly, animals, pets, can get infected with the coronavirus, but there is no evidence that the virus can be transferred from a pet to a human.”
In conclusion, when asked about Americans wearing masks in public, Trump said “it’s up to governors to decide if people must wear face masks in public. 500 million of them are on order.”
Thursday, Trump and the White House coronavirus task force will again address the nation.
