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Trump Says ‘People Have to Remain Calm’ Amid Coronavirus Outbreak Trump Says ‘People Have to Remain Calm’ Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
(1 day later)
ATLANTA — President Trump sought to play down the coronavirus outbreak on Friday and offered a vote of confidence to besieged federal health officials as infections spread further, markets tumbled again and the authorities scrambled to accelerate the availability of testing kits across the country.ATLANTA — President Trump sought to play down the coronavirus outbreak on Friday and offered a vote of confidence to besieged federal health officials as infections spread further, markets tumbled again and the authorities scrambled to accelerate the availability of testing kits across the country.
“It will end,” Mr. Trump said during a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the headquarters of the federal government’s efforts to combat the virus. “People have to remain calm.”“It will end,” Mr. Trump said during a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the headquarters of the federal government’s efforts to combat the virus. “People have to remain calm.”
He emphasized that the outbreak in the United States was small by comparison with that in other countries and cautioned against drastic societal changes in areas without major infections. “I think it’s fine if they want to do it,” he said about Americans canceling travel, conventions and other events out of fear of the virus. “I don’t think it’s an overreaction. But I wouldn’t be generally inclined to do it. I really wouldn’t be.”He emphasized that the outbreak in the United States was small by comparison with that in other countries and cautioned against drastic societal changes in areas without major infections. “I think it’s fine if they want to do it,” he said about Americans canceling travel, conventions and other events out of fear of the virus. “I don’t think it’s an overreaction. But I wouldn’t be generally inclined to do it. I really wouldn’t be.”
Mr. Trump flew to Atlanta after signing an $8.3 billion emergency spending bill at the White House to ramp up efforts to curb the virus, accepting more money than even his administration had requested. But his trip to the C.D.C. reflected the uncertainty and fear that currently have the nation on edge. The president canceled the trip on Thursday night after being told that a C.D.C. employee might have the coronavirus herself, then surprised even some top aides by reversing his decision Friday morning after a test result came back negative.Mr. Trump flew to Atlanta after signing an $8.3 billion emergency spending bill at the White House to ramp up efforts to curb the virus, accepting more money than even his administration had requested. But his trip to the C.D.C. reflected the uncertainty and fear that currently have the nation on edge. The president canceled the trip on Thursday night after being told that a C.D.C. employee might have the coronavirus herself, then surprised even some top aides by reversing his decision Friday morning after a test result came back negative.
Other elements of his schedule in the coming days have likewise been affected by the outbreak. A global health conference in Orlando, Fla., that Mr. Trump was scheduled to address on Monday has been canceled because of the coronavirus.Other elements of his schedule in the coming days have likewise been affected by the outbreak. A global health conference in Orlando, Fla., that Mr. Trump was scheduled to address on Monday has been canceled because of the coronavirus.
After touring the laboratories at the C.D.C. headquarters on Friday, the president emphasized that the number of infections and deaths in the United States remained limited and that the fatality rate was relatively low.After touring the laboratories at the C.D.C. headquarters on Friday, the president emphasized that the number of infections and deaths in the United States remained limited and that the fatality rate was relatively low.
Mr. Trump said he would prefer not to let 3,533 people on board a cruise ship held off the coast of California disembark onto American soil, even if they were placed into quarantine, in part because it would inflate the number of American infections and make the situation look worse. But he added that he had backed down from that position and authorized federal health officials to decide the matter as they saw fit.Mr. Trump said he would prefer not to let 3,533 people on board a cruise ship held off the coast of California disembark onto American soil, even if they were placed into quarantine, in part because it would inflate the number of American infections and make the situation look worse. But he added that he had backed down from that position and authorized federal health officials to decide the matter as they saw fit.
“They would like to have the people come off,” he said. “I would like to have the people stay. I told them to make the final decision. I would rather — because I like the numbers being where they are. I don’t need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn’t our fault. And it wasn’t the fault of the people on the ship either. OK? It wasn’t their fault, either. And they are mostly Americans.”“They would like to have the people come off,” he said. “I would like to have the people stay. I told them to make the final decision. I would rather — because I like the numbers being where they are. I don’t need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn’t our fault. And it wasn’t the fault of the people on the ship either. OK? It wasn’t their fault, either. And they are mostly Americans.”
“So, I can live either way with it,” he added. “I would rather have them stay on, personally. But I fully understand if they want to take them off. I gave them the authority to make the decision.”“So, I can live either way with it,” he added. “I would rather have them stay on, personally. But I fully understand if they want to take them off. I gave them the authority to make the decision.”
Vice President Mike Pence announced on Friday that 19 crew members and two passengers of that ship, which is idling off the cost of San Francisco, had so far tested positive for the coronavirus. A plan had been made to bring the ship into a noncommercial port, he said.Vice President Mike Pence announced on Friday that 19 crew members and two passengers of that ship, which is idling off the cost of San Francisco, had so far tested positive for the coronavirus. A plan had been made to bring the ship into a noncommercial port, he said.
Dr. Robert R. Redfield, the C.D.C. director who led the president on a tour of his facilities along with Steve Monroe, the associate director for laboratory science and safety, said the government still hoped to control the spread of the virus to prevent a pandemic. “This nation should not give up on containment,” Dr. Redfield said.Dr. Robert R. Redfield, the C.D.C. director who led the president on a tour of his facilities along with Steve Monroe, the associate director for laboratory science and safety, said the government still hoped to control the spread of the virus to prevent a pandemic. “This nation should not give up on containment,” Dr. Redfield said.
The Trump administration gave conflicting explanations of the on-again, off-again trip on Friday morning. A White House official initially said the president had canceled the visit because he did not want to interfere with the work at the centers as its staff scrambled to get a grip on the virus. But then Mr. Trump told reporters it was called off because of a suspected case of coronavirus at the C.D.C. itself.The Trump administration gave conflicting explanations of the on-again, off-again trip on Friday morning. A White House official initially said the president had canceled the visit because he did not want to interfere with the work at the centers as its staff scrambled to get a grip on the virus. But then Mr. Trump told reporters it was called off because of a suspected case of coronavirus at the C.D.C. itself.
The C.D.C. is at the nexus of an extraordinary crisis as the number of coronavirus cases worldwide has surpassed 100,000. In response to the outbreak, investors are dumping stocks, businesses and nonprofit organizations are canceling conventions, travelers are calling off spring break vacations, airlines and hotels are laying off workers and schools are suspending study abroad programs.The C.D.C. is at the nexus of an extraordinary crisis as the number of coronavirus cases worldwide has surpassed 100,000. In response to the outbreak, investors are dumping stocks, businesses and nonprofit organizations are canceling conventions, travelers are calling off spring break vacations, airlines and hotels are laying off workers and schools are suspending study abroad programs.
As of Friday evening, the authorities had reported more than 300 coronavirus cases in the United States, and at least 17 people have died. The first cases near the nation’s capital were reported Thursday in a Maryland suburb.As of Friday evening, the authorities had reported more than 300 coronavirus cases in the United States, and at least 17 people have died. The first cases near the nation’s capital were reported Thursday in a Maryland suburb.
The C.D.C. response has generated concern and criticism among many health experts, who have complained that the agency was slow to react to the spread of the infection and imposed overly restrictive guidelines early on about who could be tested. Mr. Trump himself has come under fire, as well. Among those who lined his motorcade route in Atlanta were people holding up signs that said, “Have Faith in Science” and “We Need a Vaccine Against Trump.”The C.D.C. response has generated concern and criticism among many health experts, who have complained that the agency was slow to react to the spread of the infection and imposed overly restrictive guidelines early on about who could be tested. Mr. Trump himself has come under fire, as well. Among those who lined his motorcade route in Atlanta were people holding up signs that said, “Have Faith in Science” and “We Need a Vaccine Against Trump.”
Even now, testing remains a major challenge. Officials told Mr. Trump that about 700,000 testing kits had already shipped and that it would grow to four million by the end of next week. “Anyone who wants a test can get a test,” the president said after his briefing.Even now, testing remains a major challenge. Officials told Mr. Trump that about 700,000 testing kits had already shipped and that it would grow to four million by the end of next week. “Anyone who wants a test can get a test,” the president said after his briefing.
At a news conference on Friday evening at the White House, Mr. Pence, who is leading the administration response, would not commit to that, but said doctors treating potentially symptomatic Americans could contact local officials and have state labs do the testing.At a news conference on Friday evening at the White House, Mr. Pence, who is leading the administration response, would not commit to that, but said doctors treating potentially symptomatic Americans could contact local officials and have state labs do the testing.
Mr. Trump rejected any suggestion that the C.D.C. had not acted aggressively enough, presenting officials to reporters to describe how they quickly moved to develop a diagnostic test when China reported its own outbreak. “They are incredible people,” he said of the scientists, “and honestly you should be giving them tremendous credit. They have done a tremendous job.”Mr. Trump rejected any suggestion that the C.D.C. had not acted aggressively enough, presenting officials to reporters to describe how they quickly moved to develop a diagnostic test when China reported its own outbreak. “They are incredible people,” he said of the scientists, “and honestly you should be giving them tremendous credit. They have done a tremendous job.”
Updated June 12, 2020 Updated June 16, 2020
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Mr. Trump lashed out at Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington, a former Democratic presidential candidate who has criticized the president’s leadership on the coronavirus and met on Thursday with Mr. Pence.Mr. Trump lashed out at Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington, a former Democratic presidential candidate who has criticized the president’s leadership on the coronavirus and met on Thursday with Mr. Pence.
“I told Mike not to be complimentary of that governor because that governor is a snake,” Mr. Trump said.“I told Mike not to be complimentary of that governor because that governor is a snake,” Mr. Trump said.
“Let me just tell you we have a lot of problems with the governor,” he added. “So Mike may be happy with him, but I’m not, OK?”“Let me just tell you we have a lot of problems with the governor,” he added. “So Mike may be happy with him, but I’m not, OK?”
On the way to Georgia, Mr. Trump stopped in Tennessee to inspect the devastation from deadly tornadoes this week that killed more than two dozen people, injured many more and left a swath of destruction for miles.On the way to Georgia, Mr. Trump stopped in Tennessee to inspect the devastation from deadly tornadoes this week that killed more than two dozen people, injured many more and left a swath of destruction for miles.
The president, wearing a White House windbreaker, khaki slacks and a red “Keep America Great” baseball cap, was shown a neighborhood of homes flattened by the storm to the west of Cookeville. Mr. Trump looked around to see demolished houses, uprooted trees, smashed cars and piles of debris. “It’s a war zone,” Ricky Shelton, the town’s mayor, told him.The president, wearing a White House windbreaker, khaki slacks and a red “Keep America Great” baseball cap, was shown a neighborhood of homes flattened by the storm to the west of Cookeville. Mr. Trump looked around to see demolished houses, uprooted trees, smashed cars and piles of debris. “It’s a war zone,” Ricky Shelton, the town’s mayor, told him.
Visible in the wreckage on Hensley Drive were the remains of a quiet rural life — a blue flower dress, a toy animal with white stuffing coming out of its torn exterior, a child’s red wagon, a mangled bicycle, a crushed photograph of a smiling couple — left in the mud. Nearby someone had mounted an American flag on a makeshift pole fashioned out of two pieces of wood strapped together. Mr. Trump was told that a young boy had been sucked out of his house by the tornado and blown hundreds of feet away, while his parents were killed.Visible in the wreckage on Hensley Drive were the remains of a quiet rural life — a blue flower dress, a toy animal with white stuffing coming out of its torn exterior, a child’s red wagon, a mangled bicycle, a crushed photograph of a smiling couple — left in the mud. Nearby someone had mounted an American flag on a makeshift pole fashioned out of two pieces of wood strapped together. Mr. Trump was told that a young boy had been sucked out of his house by the tornado and blown hundreds of feet away, while his parents were killed.
On a frigid, windy day, the president met with survivors, some of them wrapped in blankets. “They’re wiped out, they have nothing and many people died,” Mr. Trump said. His message, he added, was that he would do what he could to help. “I love them very much that’s why I’m here,” he said. “We’re going to be with them all the way.”On a frigid, windy day, the president met with survivors, some of them wrapped in blankets. “They’re wiped out, they have nothing and many people died,” Mr. Trump said. His message, he added, was that he would do what he could to help. “I love them very much that’s why I’m here,” he said. “We’re going to be with them all the way.”
After Atlanta, Mr. Trump headed to Florida for campaign fund-raising events and to spend the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate.After Atlanta, Mr. Trump headed to Florida for campaign fund-raising events and to spend the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Noah Weiland contributed reporting from Washington.Noah Weiland contributed reporting from Washington.