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| Coronavirus US live: Trump claims to see 'light at end of tunnel' despite mounting alarm as cases increase | Coronavirus US live: Trump claims to see 'light at end of tunnel' despite mounting alarm as cases increase |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Pelosi says there is ‘real optimism’ of deal being reached as Trump says he’d like the US to return to normal by Easter | Pelosi says there is ‘real optimism’ of deal being reached as Trump says he’d like the US to return to normal by Easter |
| Fauci responded with a more measured message. The timeline of when the US should ease physical distancing measures is “really very flexible,” he said, “You can look at a date but you have to be very flexible.” Fauci once again emphasized the need for data to inform public health policies. | |
| “No one is going to want to tone down things when you see what’s going on in a place like New York City,” he said. “It’s going to be looking at the data.” | |
| Trump evaded a question about why he’s fixated on easing back distancing measures by Easter. “I just thought it was a beautiful time” he said. But he said he’ll “be guided very much by Dr. Fauci” and Dr. Demorah Birx. | |
| “Maybe we do sections of the country,” Trump said, appearing to think out loud about how he could make the Easter timeline work. | |
| Mike Pence reiterated that he doesn’t see a need to invoke the Defense Production Act to compel private companies to produce vital supplies, because so “we see industries stepping up” on their own. | |
| Pence said that Apple is donating 9m masks - which medical staff need. He also referred to McDonald’s move to offer curbside delivery for truckers who aren’t able to use drive-thru — which is nice, but less of an essential necessity. | |
| Larry Kudlow addressed the financial rescue package that lawmakers are currently debating. The bill will total $6 trillion, he said - including $4 trillion in liquidity from the Federal Reserve and $2 trillion in direct relief (including payment to individuals, small business loans and unemployment insurance). | |
| In his update, Kudlow referred to “chief of staff Meadows,” even though Mark Meadows is still a member of Congress. Meadow’s aide had clarified earlier that Mick Mulvaney is still the acting White House chief of staff. | |
| Kudlow said the impact of coronavirus will last “weeks,” not much longer. “It’s only going to be weeks,” he said. “Weeks and months, not years.” | |
| Fauci did not address how realistic Trump’s wish to scale back social-distancing measures by Easter is. Instead, he obliquely referenced the importance of testing and gathering data. | |
| Anthony Fauci, who has resurfaced for this briefing, addressed the crisis. He emphasized the need to test more widely, to gather more data that can inform public health officials as the development policies. | |
| “The idea about self-isolating for two weeks will be very important,” Fauci said, especially for New Yorkers living in the most severely impacted areas in the country. | |
| Deborah Birx, the physician coordinating the coronavirus task force, noted that 60% of all new cases in the US are coming from New York and urged recent visitors to self-quarantine for two weeks. | |
| “This experience shows how important borders are,” Donald Trump said, referencing his exclusionary immigration policies. | “This experience shows how important borders are,” Donald Trump said, referencing his exclusionary immigration policies. |
| The president has used the crisis to push border control policies he has supported for years. | The president has used the crisis to push border control policies he has supported for years. |
| He also said that the US “should never be reliant on a foreign country” and that his wish for America is for it to be a “self-reliant nation” that is “dependent on no one”. | |
| Trump said he’s confident that the Senate will vote soon on an economic rescue package, which he referred to as a $2 trillion plan. | Trump said he’s confident that the Senate will vote soon on an economic rescue package, which he referred to as a $2 trillion plan. |
| “They’re working very hard together right now - Republicans and Democrats,” the president said. “They’re getting very close.” | |
| Trump said we are already “begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel”, even though cases of Covid-19 are continuing to rise in the US. | Trump said we are already “begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel”, even though cases of Covid-19 are continuing to rise in the US. |
| He also reiterated his hesitation to invoke the Defense Production Act to amp up production of crucial medical supplies, noting that some businesses are already beginning to ramp up production of key supplies. | He also reiterated his hesitation to invoke the Defense Production Act to amp up production of crucial medical supplies, noting that some businesses are already beginning to ramp up production of key supplies. |
| Many Democratic lawmakers, including New York governor Andrew Cuomo, have asked the president to use the DPA to help hospitals treat covid-19 cases. | Many Democratic lawmakers, including New York governor Andrew Cuomo, have asked the president to use the DPA to help hospitals treat covid-19 cases. |
| The coronavirus task force briefing has begun. | The coronavirus task force briefing has begun. |
| “Ultimately the goal is to ease the guidelines and open things up,” Donald Trump began. He addressed his earlier comments that he hopes the country will be able to ease back social distancing by Easter. | “Ultimately the goal is to ease the guidelines and open things up,” Donald Trump began. He addressed his earlier comments that he hopes the country will be able to ease back social distancing by Easter. |
| “Easter is a very special day for many reasons,” the president said. “And what a great timeline that would be.” | “Easter is a very special day for many reasons,” the president said. “And what a great timeline that would be.” |
| Alexandra Villareal in New York sends more key takeaways from Bill De Blasio’s press conference earlier today: | Alexandra Villareal in New York sends more key takeaways from Bill De Blasio’s press conference earlier today: |
| De Blasio called the Covid-19 health crisis “a race against time” and implored the federal government to join local and state officials in that race. He emphasized the desperate need for ventilators, which he said now make the difference between life and death for some patients. | De Blasio called the Covid-19 health crisis “a race against time” and implored the federal government to join local and state officials in that race. He emphasized the desperate need for ventilators, which he said now make the difference between life and death for some patients. |
| Though de Blasio was generally critical of the federal government in his address, he applauded the implementation of the Defense Production Act, which the administration announced it would use for the first time today to access essential medical equipment. | Though de Blasio was generally critical of the federal government in his address, he applauded the implementation of the Defense Production Act, which the administration announced it would use for the first time today to access essential medical equipment. |
| As advocates request that inmates in the city’s jails be let out, de Blasio said he believes anyone who is over 70 years old or has a pre-existing condition that makes them vulnerable to Covid-19 should be released. He’s also considering other inmate populations for release. | As advocates request that inmates in the city’s jails be let out, de Blasio said he believes anyone who is over 70 years old or has a pre-existing condition that makes them vulnerable to Covid-19 should be released. He’s also considering other inmate populations for release. |
| After New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo pressured the city to come up with a plan to address overcrowding in parks, de Blasio warned that he may have to close the city’s playgrounds if parents and children don’t observe social distancing rules and keep six feet apart from others. But de Blasio pushed back on Cuomo’s descriptions of teeming public places; he said most New Yorkers are abiding by the rules. | After New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo pressured the city to come up with a plan to address overcrowding in parks, de Blasio warned that he may have to close the city’s playgrounds if parents and children don’t observe social distancing rules and keep six feet apart from others. But de Blasio pushed back on Cuomo’s descriptions of teeming public places; he said most New Yorkers are abiding by the rules. |
| As de Blasio briefed reporters on New York’s response to the pandemic, he took a moment to honor Terrence McNally, one of the U.S.’s most acclaimed playwrights who died Tuesday of complications from coronavirus in Florida. De Blasio touted McNally’s extraordinary talent as well as his commitment to a better New York. | As de Blasio briefed reporters on New York’s response to the pandemic, he took a moment to honor Terrence McNally, one of the U.S.’s most acclaimed playwrights who died Tuesday of complications from coronavirus in Florida. De Blasio touted McNally’s extraordinary talent as well as his commitment to a better New York. |
| The briefing came as New York City reported almost 15,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. | The briefing came as New York City reported almost 15,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. |
| Alexandra Villareal reports from New York: | Alexandra Villareal reports from New York: |
| New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio directly contradicted President Donald Trump during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, when he said it was “inconceivable” that the city would return to normal by April. De Blasio predicted that, in terms of the pandemic, April will be worse than March, and May may even be worse than April. | New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio directly contradicted President Donald Trump during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, when he said it was “inconceivable” that the city would return to normal by April. De Blasio predicted that, in terms of the pandemic, April will be worse than March, and May may even be worse than April. |
| Trump – concerned about the impact on the US economy – has repeatedly insisted that he wants to see businesses reopen in the coming weeks not months, and today said he’s aiming for that plan to be enacted by Sunday 12 April. | Trump – concerned about the impact on the US economy – has repeatedly insisted that he wants to see businesses reopen in the coming weeks not months, and today said he’s aiming for that plan to be enacted by Sunday 12 April. |
| Hi there, it’s Maanvi, blogging from the West Coast. | Hi there, it’s Maanvi, blogging from the West Coast. |
| We’re awaiting a briefing from the coronavirus task force. One open question: Whether Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, will be joining the briefing. Fauci has been notably absent from some of the recent briefings. | We’re awaiting a briefing from the coronavirus task force. One open question: Whether Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, will be joining the briefing. Fauci has been notably absent from some of the recent briefings. |
| In the past, he’s helped fact check and clarify the president’s comments, which have diverged from messaging provided by public health officials and scientists. | In the past, he’s helped fact check and clarify the president’s comments, which have diverged from messaging provided by public health officials and scientists. |
| That’s it for me. My west coast colleague Maanvi Singh will take the blog from here. Here’s where we’re at: | That’s it for me. My west coast colleague Maanvi Singh will take the blog from here. Here’s where we’re at: |
| All day, congressional leaders signaled that an economic stimulus deal was finally in sight. That included Donald Trump, Republican senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, and House speaker Nancy Pelosi. A deal has not been announced as of 5 p.m. in Washington. but there’s no reason to think it’s not coming yet. | All day, congressional leaders signaled that an economic stimulus deal was finally in sight. That included Donald Trump, Republican senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, and House speaker Nancy Pelosi. A deal has not been announced as of 5 p.m. in Washington. but there’s no reason to think it’s not coming yet. |
| Ford, GE Health, and 3M are teaming up to provide medical supplies that are in high demand because of the coronavirus, a move hailed by Republicans. | Ford, GE Health, and 3M are teaming up to provide medical supplies that are in high demand because of the coronavirus, a move hailed by Republicans. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo warned the rate of coronavirus infections in his state is still on a dangerous rise. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo warned the rate of coronavirus infections in his state is still on a dangerous rise. |
| Trump said he’d like the country to be back open by Easter. | Trump said he’d like the country to be back open by Easter. |
| The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports that the state of Georgia is moving to expand mail-in voting. | The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports that the state of Georgia is moving to expand mail-in voting. |
| Three of America’s most famous national parks – Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and the Great Smoky Mountains – closed their gates Tuesday to help prevent the spread of coronavirus following concerns that visitors were not practicing social distancing. | Three of America’s most famous national parks – Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and the Great Smoky Mountains – closed their gates Tuesday to help prevent the spread of coronavirus following concerns that visitors were not practicing social distancing. |
| They follow closures at Yosemite in California and Rocky Mountain in Colorado in previous days.AP reports: | They follow closures at Yosemite in California and Rocky Mountain in Colorado in previous days.AP reports: |
| It seemed like lawmakers who have come to some kind of stimulus deal by at least the early afternoon today but that hasn’t happened yet. There’s no sign a deal isn’t coming but there are still concerns about the industry fund by some Democrats. | It seemed like lawmakers who have come to some kind of stimulus deal by at least the early afternoon today but that hasn’t happened yet. There’s no sign a deal isn’t coming but there are still concerns about the industry fund by some Democrats. |
| In an interview with Newsy’s Alex Miller, Ohio senator Sherrod Brown explains: | In an interview with Newsy’s Alex Miller, Ohio senator Sherrod Brown explains: |
| Utah senator Mitt Romney is self-quarantining despite testing negative for coronavirus. | Utah senator Mitt Romney is self-quarantining despite testing negative for coronavirus. |
| Romney is the latest in an ongoing list of lawmakers who have had to go into quarantine in response to the coronavirus. Kentucky senator Rand Paul was the first member of his chamber to test positive for the virus. | Romney is the latest in an ongoing list of lawmakers who have had to go into quarantine in response to the coronavirus. Kentucky senator Rand Paul was the first member of his chamber to test positive for the virus. |
| A 31-year-old from Mexico has become the first person in immigration detention in the US to test positive for Covid-19. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the unidentified individual was being held at Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey, when they tested positive. The agency said they had been quarantined and were receiving care at an undisclosed location. Meanwhile, intake of new migrants at the jail will be suspended.ICE previously said a member of the medical staff at the Elizabeth Detention Center in New Jersey tested positive for the virus. Here’s the Guardian’s story on that: | A 31-year-old from Mexico has become the first person in immigration detention in the US to test positive for Covid-19. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the unidentified individual was being held at Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey, when they tested positive. The agency said they had been quarantined and were receiving care at an undisclosed location. Meanwhile, intake of new migrants at the jail will be suspended.ICE previously said a member of the medical staff at the Elizabeth Detention Center in New Jersey tested positive for the virus. Here’s the Guardian’s story on that: |
| Trump predicted Americans would see “packed churches” on Easter, as the president continues to insist the country will be ready to scale back social distancing practices within the next few weeks. | Trump predicted Americans would see “packed churches” on Easter, as the president continues to insist the country will be ready to scale back social distancing practices within the next few weeks. |
| The president said earlier today he “would love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter,” but public health experts have expressed doubt that the coronavirus crisis will be sufficiently curtailed by April 12. | The president said earlier today he “would love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter,” but public health experts have expressed doubt that the coronavirus crisis will be sufficiently curtailed by April 12. |
| “Easter is a very special day for me,” Trump told Fox News. “And I say, wouldn’t it be great to have all the churches full?” | “Easter is a very special day for me,” Trump told Fox News. “And I say, wouldn’t it be great to have all the churches full?” |
| The president added that the religious holiday aligned with when he expected the threat of the virus to start subsiding. “I think it would be a beautiful time, and it’s just about the timeline that I think is right.” Trump said. | The president added that the religious holiday aligned with when he expected the threat of the virus to start subsiding. “I think it would be a beautiful time, and it’s just about the timeline that I think is right.” Trump said. |
| Public health experts, including senior official Dr Anthony Fauci, have said Americans will need to adhere to social distancing restrictions for at least several more weeks to stop the spread of the virus. | Public health experts, including senior official Dr Anthony Fauci, have said Americans will need to adhere to social distancing restrictions for at least several more weeks to stop the spread of the virus. |