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| US coronavirus news: Mexican border closed to non-essential travel as New York ordered to stay at home – live | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| President signed act earlier in week but did not invoke it until Chuck Schumer urged him to accelerate supply production | President signed act earlier in week but did not invoke it until Chuck Schumer urged him to accelerate supply production |
| Trump and Dr Anthony Fauci both downplayed the need for universal coronavirus testing. | |
| The president said he did not believe every American should go out and receive a coronavirus test, a message that was reiterated by Fauci. | |
| “I don’t see how testing everybody in the country is going to help you implement this,” said Fauci, referring to the social distancing restrictions the CDC has released. | |
| “Let’s not conflate testing with the action you have to take,” Fauci added. | |
| Trump followed up on his comments yesterday that the Carnival cruise company offered their ships for the coronavirus response. | |
| The president clarified that the offer was extended by the company, but he was not currently taking them up on it. | |
| Trump again noted that two hospital ships would soon be deployed to New York City and the west coast to help free up hospital beds. | |
| Vice President Mike Pence sought to answer the question asked to Trump about what message they had for scared Americans right now. | |
| “I would say do not be afraid, be vigilant,” said the vice president, who is leading the coronavirus task force. | |
| Pence noted early evidence indicates coronavirus is three times more contagious than the flu, which is why Americans need to take every possible precaution right now. | |
| Dr Anthony Fauci criticized senator Ron Johnson for downplaying the threat of coronavirus and questioning the drastic government response to it. | |
| “I’m not denying what a nasty disease COVID-19 can be, and how it’s obviously devastating to somewhere between 1 and 3.4 percent of the population,” Johnson said earlier this week. | |
| “But that means 97 to 99 percent will get through this and develop immunities and will be able to move beyond this. But we don’t shut down our economy because tens of thousands of people die on the highways. | |
| Fauci said it was a “false equivalency to compare traffic accidents” to coronavirus and emphasized a drastic response was necessary when a new and dangerously contagious virus was uncovered. | |
| Secretary of state Mike Pompeo is now taking questions from reporters about how the State Department is addressing the coronavirus pandemic. | |
| When Trump introduced Pompeo, he referred to the State Department as the “Deep State Department.” | |
| The derisive nickname appeared to prompt a baffled chuckle from Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. | |
| However, when Pompeo was asked about Trump’s use of the term, the secretary shrugged off any concern and insisted the president respects the diplomats carrying out America’s foreign policy. | |
| Trump’s former press secretary, Sean Spicer, asked the president about reports of senators selling stock last month as they received briefings on coronavirus. | |
| “I’m not aware of it,” Trump said. “I find them all to be very honorable people, and they said they did nothing wrong.” | |
| Senator Richard Burr is facing calls for his resignation over his trade activity, and he has called on the Senate ethics committee to investigate the matter. | |
| The country just saw a surreal moment where Trump called on his former press secretary, Sean Spicer, to ask a question during the briefing. | The country just saw a surreal moment where Trump called on his former press secretary, Sean Spicer, to ask a question during the briefing. |
| Spicer appeared to be in the briefing room on behalf of his new employer Newsmax, a conservative website. | Spicer appeared to be in the briefing room on behalf of his new employer Newsmax, a conservative website. |
| Spicer’s appearance in the briefing room triggered some immediate criticism from the White House press corps: | Spicer’s appearance in the briefing room triggered some immediate criticism from the White House press corps: |
| Trump was asked again what message he had for Americans who are currently scared about the coronavirus pandemic. | Trump was asked again what message he had for Americans who are currently scared about the coronavirus pandemic. |
| “There is a very low incidence of death,” the president said in response, predicting the country would be stronger than ever after combatting the virus. | “There is a very low incidence of death,” the president said in response, predicting the country would be stronger than ever after combatting the virus. |
| Health experts have estimated the rate of death from coronavirus is about 1%, making it ten times more deadly than the flu. | Health experts have estimated the rate of death from coronavirus is about 1%, making it ten times more deadly than the flu. |
| Trump was asked what he had to say to Americans who are scared about the spread of coronavirus right now. | Trump was asked what he had to say to Americans who are scared about the spread of coronavirus right now. |
| “I say that you’re a terrible reporter,” Trump told NBC’s Peter Alexander. | |
| “The American people are looking for answers, and they’re looking for hope,” Trump said. “That’s really bad reporting.” | |
| Trump said he did not believe a national lockdown was necessary at this stage, while New York and California have told residents to stay indoors except for essential activities. | Trump said he did not believe a national lockdown was necessary at this stage, while New York and California have told residents to stay indoors except for essential activities. |
| The president said New York and California are “hotbeds” of coronavirus, but some parts of the country do not have to take the same steps. | The president said New York and California are “hotbeds” of coronavirus, but some parts of the country do not have to take the same steps. |
| On the subject of social distancing, Trump said it is “probably the hottest term there is” right now. | On the subject of social distancing, Trump said it is “probably the hottest term there is” right now. |
| Trump said his administration is now invoking the Defense Production Act to speed up the production of medical supplies. | Trump said his administration is now invoking the Defense Production Act to speed up the production of medical supplies. |
| The president signed the act earlier this week but said he would not use the powers of it unless absolutely necessary. | The president signed the act earlier this week but said he would not use the powers of it unless absolutely necessary. |
| Trump had a call this morning with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, who urged him to invoke the act, and the president said he is now using it to accelerate medical supply production. | Trump had a call this morning with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, who urged him to invoke the act, and the president said he is now using it to accelerate medical supply production. |
| Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, applauded the governors of New York and California for ordering residents to stay indoors except for essential activities. | Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, applauded the governors of New York and California for ordering residents to stay indoors except for essential activities. |
| Fauci noted he himself is a New Yorker, and he urged fellow residents to adhere to the restrictions outlined by Governor Andrew Cuomo this morning. | Fauci noted he himself is a New Yorker, and he urged fellow residents to adhere to the restrictions outlined by Governor Andrew Cuomo this morning. |
| “I know what New Yorkers can do,” Fauci said. “We’re tough.” | “I know what New Yorkers can do,” Fauci said. “We’re tough.” |
| Dr Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force response coordinator, said data from Italy indicate the coronavirus fatality rate is twice as high for men across all age groups. | Dr Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force response coordinator, said data from Italy indicate the coronavirus fatality rate is twice as high for men across all age groups. |
| Birx reiterated the virus appears to be less deadly for younger people, but she emphasized younger Americans still need to take precautions. | Birx reiterated the virus appears to be less deadly for younger people, but she emphasized younger Americans still need to take precautions. |
| “No one is immune,” Birx said. “We know it’s highly contagious to everyone. Do not interpret mild or moderate disease as lack of contagion or that you’re immune.” | “No one is immune,” Birx said. “We know it’s highly contagious to everyone. Do not interpret mild or moderate disease as lack of contagion or that you’re immune.” |
| Secretary of state Mike Pompeo has confirmed the US-Mexican border will be closing to non-essential travel. | Secretary of state Mike Pompeo has confirmed the US-Mexican border will be closing to non-essential travel. |
| The announcement comes two days after officials said the US-Canadian border would similarly ban all non-essential travel amid the coronavirus pandemic. | The announcement comes two days after officials said the US-Canadian border would similarly ban all non-essential travel amid the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Pompeo also reiterated that the State Department has issued a Level 4 advisory for all international travel, urging all Americans to stay in the country or immediately return home if they are abroad. | Pompeo also reiterated that the State Department has issued a Level 4 advisory for all international travel, urging all Americans to stay in the country or immediately return home if they are abroad. |
| Trump said secretary of state Mike Pompeo would announce restrictions on US-Mexican border travel today. | Trump said secretary of state Mike Pompeo would announce restrictions on US-Mexican border travel today. |
| However, the president then appeared to preempt the announcement by saying the southern border was closing to non-essential travel. | However, the president then appeared to preempt the announcement by saying the southern border was closing to non-essential travel. |
| The restrictions mirror those placed on the US-Canadian border earlier this week. | The restrictions mirror those placed on the US-Canadian border earlier this week. |