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| Coronavirus US live: Trump boasts about sending supplies abroad as US hospitals struggle | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| President gives latest updates on virus outbreak as Joe Biden urges faster action: ‘Step up and do your job’ | President gives latest updates on virus outbreak as Joe Biden urges faster action: ‘Step up and do your job’ |
| My colleague Oliver Milman recently pulled out some of Donald Trump’s most common coronavirus claims, including, “Anybody that needs a test gets a test...And the tests are beautiful” and, “I’ve always viewed it as very serious.” | |
| Take a look: | |
| The president finished speaking a while back, but. we’ve just now finished fact-checking his words — for now. Please reach out to me via Twitter (@maanvisings) if you spotted any other statements from the president that you’d like us to vet. | |
| Fact check: Are American coronavirus tests better? | Fact check: Are American coronavirus tests better? |
| “Our testing is also better than any country in the world,” Trump bragged. | “Our testing is also better than any country in the world,” Trump bragged. |
| In fact, some of the initial coronavirus tests sent out to states were seriously flawed – some did not even work. Part of the problem came from the CDC insisting it would manufacture the tests itself. | In fact, some of the initial coronavirus tests sent out to states were seriously flawed – some did not even work. Part of the problem came from the CDC insisting it would manufacture the tests itself. |
| Other countries – after their first coronavirus case – swiftly asked private companies to develop their own tests. South Korea, which recorded its first case on the same day as the US, did so within a week | Other countries – after their first coronavirus case – swiftly asked private companies to develop their own tests. South Korea, which recorded its first case on the same day as the US, did so within a week |
| The US only allowed laboratories and hospitals to conduct their own tests on February 29, almost six weeks after the first case was confirmed. | The US only allowed laboratories and hospitals to conduct their own tests on February 29, almost six weeks after the first case was confirmed. |
| “The federal agency shunned the World Health Organization test guidelines used by other countries and set out to create a more complicated test of its own that could identify a range of similar viruses,” ProPublica reported. | “The federal agency shunned the World Health Organization test guidelines used by other countries and set out to create a more complicated test of its own that could identify a range of similar viruses,” ProPublica reported. |
| Even as US hospitals report shortages and struggles, Trump boasted during the briefing that the US is “going to be sending approximately $100 million worth of things, of surgical and medical and hospital things to Italy.” | Even as US hospitals report shortages and struggles, Trump boasted during the briefing that the US is “going to be sending approximately $100 million worth of things, of surgical and medical and hospital things to Italy.” |
| “And Giuseppe was very, very happy, I will tell you that, they’re having a very hard time,” the president said. Trump said he had spoken with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and made the pledge. | “And Giuseppe was very, very happy, I will tell you that, they’re having a very hard time,” the president said. Trump said he had spoken with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and made the pledge. |
| It’s unclear why Trump is emphasizing aid to other counties, which he has often opposed and runs counter to his principle of “America first”. His administration came under criticism today amid reports that the government sent nearly 17.8 tons of medical supplies to China—including masks and respirators— weeks after the first cases of coronavirus were reported in the US. | It’s unclear why Trump is emphasizing aid to other counties, which he has often opposed and runs counter to his principle of “America first”. His administration came under criticism today amid reports that the government sent nearly 17.8 tons of medical supplies to China—including masks and respirators— weeks after the first cases of coronavirus were reported in the US. |
| “Trump, you incompetent idiot!”, said Maxine Waters, a democratic representative of California, in a tweet criticizing the move. | “Trump, you incompetent idiot!”, said Maxine Waters, a democratic representative of California, in a tweet criticizing the move. |
| The president defended saying, a month ago, that a “miracle” would bring the number of coronavirus cases down to “I could cause panic,” he said. “But I don’t want to do that.” | The president defended saying, a month ago, that a “miracle” would bring the number of coronavirus cases down to “I could cause panic,” he said. “But I don’t want to do that.” |
| Fact check: Is testing in the US on par with other countries? | Fact check: Is testing in the US on par with other countries? |
| Trump was asked when the US will catch up with South Korea and other countries in terms of testing per capital. “It’s very much on par,” Trump says of the US testing numbers. | Trump was asked when the US will catch up with South Korea and other countries in terms of testing per capital. “It’s very much on par,” Trump says of the US testing numbers. |
| To repeat a point from earlier: The US, as of Monday afternoon, had conducted about 287 tests per 100,000 people in the US (with huge variations depending on the county, city and state). This compares to 709 per 100,000 in South Korea and 600 per 100,000 in Italy. | To repeat a point from earlier: The US, as of Monday afternoon, had conducted about 287 tests per 100,000 people in the US (with huge variations depending on the county, city and state). This compares to 709 per 100,000 in South Korea and 600 per 100,000 in Italy. |
| Fact check: Population of Seoul, South Korea | Fact check: Population of Seoul, South Korea |
| “Do you know how many people there are in Seoul? 38 million,” Trump said, emphasizing that people are “packed in there”. | “Do you know how many people there are in Seoul? 38 million,” Trump said, emphasizing that people are “packed in there”. |
| In fact, the population of Seoul is 9.7m. It is unclear where Trump got his figure. | In fact, the population of Seoul is 9.7m. It is unclear where Trump got his figure. |
| Fact check: Ventilator stockpile | Fact check: Ventilator stockpile |
| Trump touted the US stockpile of 10,000 ventilators. But experts say that the government’s secretive stockpile of medicines, vaccines, protective clothing and equipment, stashed in a dozen warehouses across the country, isn’t enough to meet the demand for medical equipment needed to treat coronavirus patients. State governors, including Andrew Cuomo of New York, have asked for tens of thousands of ventilators. | Trump touted the US stockpile of 10,000 ventilators. But experts say that the government’s secretive stockpile of medicines, vaccines, protective clothing and equipment, stashed in a dozen warehouses across the country, isn’t enough to meet the demand for medical equipment needed to treat coronavirus patients. State governors, including Andrew Cuomo of New York, have asked for tens of thousands of ventilators. |
| In an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, public health experts wrote: “The national strategic reserve of ventilators is small and far from sufficient for the projected gap. No matter which estimate we use, there are not enough ventilators for patients with Covid-19 in the upcoming months.” | In an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, public health experts wrote: “The national strategic reserve of ventilators is small and far from sufficient for the projected gap. No matter which estimate we use, there are not enough ventilators for patients with Covid-19 in the upcoming months.” |
| Trump said that he’s discussed national stay-at-home orders, but for now is leaving it up to governors. “Well we’ve talked about it, there are obviously there are some parts of the country that are in far deeper trouble than others,” he said. | Trump said that he’s discussed national stay-at-home orders, but for now is leaving it up to governors. “Well we’ve talked about it, there are obviously there are some parts of the country that are in far deeper trouble than others,” he said. |
| A nationwide quarantine would be “very unwieldy, very tough to enforce” but “if we do that, we’ll let you know,” the president said. | A nationwide quarantine would be “very unwieldy, very tough to enforce” but “if we do that, we’ll let you know,” the president said. |
| “I have some friends that are unbelievably sick,” Trump said. “In one case he’s unconscious. In a coma. And you say, how did that happen.” | “I have some friends that are unbelievably sick,” Trump said. “In one case he’s unconscious. In a coma. And you say, how did that happen.” |
| This isn’t time that Trump has mentioned unnamed friends who have been affected by coronavirus in different measures. | This isn’t time that Trump has mentioned unnamed friends who have been affected by coronavirus in different measures. |
| Among the corporate representatives that Trump has invited to speak today is Mike Lidell, a fixture at Trump rallies and the CEO of My Pillow. | Among the corporate representatives that Trump has invited to speak today is Mike Lidell, a fixture at Trump rallies and the CEO of My Pillow. |
| Lidell said his company is assisting in the coronavirus efforts by producing face masks, and designating “some of its call centers to help US companies navigate the many issues that resulted from this pandemic”. | Lidell said his company is assisting in the coronavirus efforts by producing face masks, and designating “some of its call centers to help US companies navigate the many issues that resulted from this pandemic”. |
| The briefing is ostensibly meant to update the press and the public on the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis. Today, the briefing has become a platform for businesses to promote themselves, as one by one, “some of the greatest business executives in the world” — according the president — take the podium. | The briefing is ostensibly meant to update the press and the public on the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis. Today, the briefing has become a platform for businesses to promote themselves, as one by one, “some of the greatest business executives in the world” — according the president — take the podium. |
| Trump said that the US production of ventilators will ramp up sufficiently to supply some other countries, including Italy and Spain. The president has repeatedly marveled at why US hospitals would need thousands of ventilators — which healthcare providers need to help coronavirus patients with severe symptoms breathe. | Trump said that the US production of ventilators will ramp up sufficiently to supply some other countries, including Italy and Spain. The president has repeatedly marveled at why US hospitals would need thousands of ventilators — which healthcare providers need to help coronavirus patients with severe symptoms breathe. |
| An article in the New England Journal of Medicine published on Wednesday 25 March categorically concluded that the US does not have enough ventilators to treat patients with Covid-19 in the coming months. | An article in the New England Journal of Medicine published on Wednesday 25 March categorically concluded that the US does not have enough ventilators to treat patients with Covid-19 in the coming months. |
| The authors, American public health experts, wrote: ‘There is a broad range of estimates of the number of ventilators we will need to care for U.S. patients with Covid-19, from several hundred thousand to as many as a million. The estimates vary depending on the number, speed, and severity of infections, of course, but even the availability of testing affects the number of ventilators needed.... current estimates of the number of ventilators in the United States range from 60,000 to 160,000, depending on whether those that have only partial functionality are included. The national strategic reserve of ventilators is small and far from sufficient for the projected gap. No matter which estimate we use, there are not enough ventilators for patients with Covid-19 in the upcoming months.” | The authors, American public health experts, wrote: ‘There is a broad range of estimates of the number of ventilators we will need to care for U.S. patients with Covid-19, from several hundred thousand to as many as a million. The estimates vary depending on the number, speed, and severity of infections, of course, but even the availability of testing affects the number of ventilators needed.... current estimates of the number of ventilators in the United States range from 60,000 to 160,000, depending on whether those that have only partial functionality are included. The national strategic reserve of ventilators is small and far from sufficient for the projected gap. No matter which estimate we use, there are not enough ventilators for patients with Covid-19 in the upcoming months.” |
| Ford today announced it will work with GE to make ventilators. And GM announced on Friday that it will start manufacturing ventilators in April on behalf of Ventec Life Systems. | Ford today announced it will work with GE to make ventilators. And GM announced on Friday that it will start manufacturing ventilators in April on behalf of Ventec Life Systems. |
| Fact check: Hydroxychloroquine cure | Fact check: Hydroxychloroquine cure |
| Trump said the government is testing hydroxychloroquine, a common anti-malaria drug he has previously touted as a potential cure. | Trump said the government is testing hydroxychloroquine, a common anti-malaria drug he has previously touted as a potential cure. |
| Public health experts including his own top infectious diseases adviser, Dr Anthony Fauci, have previously warned that there was only “anecdotal evidence” that the drugs could be helpful. My colleague Oliver Milman reported that a French study of 40 coronavirus patients found that half experienced clearing of their airways after being given hydroxychloroquine. Experts have warned that the study is small and lacks sufficient rigor to be classed as evidence of a potential treatment. The French health ministry has warned against the use of hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19. | Public health experts including his own top infectious diseases adviser, Dr Anthony Fauci, have previously warned that there was only “anecdotal evidence” that the drugs could be helpful. My colleague Oliver Milman reported that a French study of 40 coronavirus patients found that half experienced clearing of their airways after being given hydroxychloroquine. Experts have warned that the study is small and lacks sufficient rigor to be classed as evidence of a potential treatment. The French health ministry has warned against the use of hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19. |
| Last week, an Arizona man died and his wife was left in critical condition after the couple took chloroquine phosphate, an additive used to clean fish tanks that is also found in the anti-malaria treatment promoted by Trump. “Trump kept saying it was basically pretty much a cure,” the woman told NBC, before advising: “Don’t take anything. Don’t believe anything. Don’t believe anything that the president says and his people … call your doctor.” | Last week, an Arizona man died and his wife was left in critical condition after the couple took chloroquine phosphate, an additive used to clean fish tanks that is also found in the anti-malaria treatment promoted by Trump. “Trump kept saying it was basically pretty much a cure,” the woman told NBC, before advising: “Don’t take anything. Don’t believe anything. Don’t believe anything that the president says and his people … call your doctor.” |
| The surge in demand for the unproven hydroxychloroquine also risks shortages of the drug for those who need it most. It is used to help patients manage the chronic autoimmune disease lupus, but some are already complaining the drug is harder to come by. Trump’s pushing of the treatment has reportedly caused stockpiling of hydroxychloroquine. | The surge in demand for the unproven hydroxychloroquine also risks shortages of the drug for those who need it most. It is used to help patients manage the chronic autoimmune disease lupus, but some are already complaining the drug is harder to come by. Trump’s pushing of the treatment has reportedly caused stockpiling of hydroxychloroquine. |
| The president is touting new tests from Abbott Laboratories, which said on Friday it won US marketing approval for a coronavirus diagnostic test within 15 minutes. | The president is touting new tests from Abbott Laboratories, which said on Friday it won US marketing approval for a coronavirus diagnostic test within 15 minutes. |
| Abbott said plans to start distributing the this week and will ramp up manufacturing to 50,000 tests per day. | Abbott said plans to start distributing the this week and will ramp up manufacturing to 50,000 tests per day. |
| Fact check: Testing | Fact check: Testing |
| Trump said more than one million Americans have now been tested for the coronavirus. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar then said this was more than any other country. But the US has conducted far fewer tests per capita given the US population is over six times larger than South Korea’s. | Trump said more than one million Americans have now been tested for the coronavirus. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar then said this was more than any other country. But the US has conducted far fewer tests per capita given the US population is over six times larger than South Korea’s. |
| As of Monday afternoon, the United States, with a population of 329 million, had administered at least 944,854, according to the Covid Tracking Project, a group led by Alexis Madrigal, a staff writer for The Atlantic magazine, with more than 100 volunteers that compiles coronavirus testing data from states. | As of Monday afternoon, the United States, with a population of 329 million, had administered at least 944,854, according to the Covid Tracking Project, a group led by Alexis Madrigal, a staff writer for The Atlantic magazine, with more than 100 volunteers that compiles coronavirus testing data from states. |
| This equates to 287 tests per 100,000 people in the US (with huge variations depending on the county, city and state) compared to 709 per 100,000 in South Korea and 600 per 100,000 in Italy. | This equates to 287 tests per 100,000 people in the US (with huge variations depending on the county, city and state) compared to 709 per 100,000 in South Korea and 600 per 100,000 in Italy. |
| About 65,000 coronavirus tests a day are currently being done on Americans — a massive rise from 10 days ago. But there’s huge variation from state to state, and public health experts reckon 150,000 tests are needed every day so that infected patients can be identified quickly, traced and quarantined | About 65,000 coronavirus tests a day are currently being done on Americans — a massive rise from 10 days ago. But there’s huge variation from state to state, and public health experts reckon 150,000 tests are needed every day so that infected patients can be identified quickly, traced and quarantined |
| To match South Korea’s testing rate, the US would have needed to conduct another 2 million tests. | To match South Korea’s testing rate, the US would have needed to conduct another 2 million tests. |