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| Coronavirus US live: Donald Trump predicts 'a very, very painful two weeks' | Coronavirus US live: Donald Trump predicts 'a very, very painful two weeks' |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| New York governor laments how states and Fema are bidding against each other to obtain ventilators: ‘What sense does that make?’ | New York governor laments how states and Fema are bidding against each other to obtain ventilators: ‘What sense does that make?’ |
| During today’s briefing, Trump said that all governors had to do if they needed ventilators, was ask. He also suggested that the US was “holding on” to a stockpile of 10,000 ventilators, that the government would slowly and strategically dole out. He also said the government has asked companies to send equipment directly to states. | |
| At the same time, he derided and dismissed New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s complaint that states have to bid for ventilators, competing with other states and Fema to secure life-saving equipment. | |
| “The federal government, Fema, should have been the purchasing agent: buy everything and then allocate by need to the states,” Cuomo said today. “Why would you create a situation where the 50 states are competing with each other and then the federal government and Fema comes in and competes with the rest of it?” | |
| Without addressing why the federal government isn’t stepping in to secure the equipment at a fair price, Trump said that Cuomo,” shouldn’t be complaining because we gave him a lot of ventilators.” | |
| “No matter what you give, it’s never enough,” he said. | |
| “It’s an incredibly dark topic,” Trump said, before leaving the podium. “An incredibly horrible topic. And it’s incredibly interesting. That’s why everybody is, They’re going crazy, they can’t get enough of it.” | “It’s an incredibly dark topic,” Trump said, before leaving the podium. “An incredibly horrible topic. And it’s incredibly interesting. That’s why everybody is, They’re going crazy, they can’t get enough of it.” |
| Fact check: “Nobody knew” | Fact check: “Nobody knew” |
| “Nobody knew how contagious this was,” Trump said. “I don’t think any doctor new it at the time. People have not seen anything like this.” | “Nobody knew how contagious this was,” Trump said. “I don’t think any doctor new it at the time. People have not seen anything like this.” |
| In fact, as the disease spread through China, public health experts were warning for weeks that the coronavirus threat could grow into a pandemic. | In fact, as the disease spread through China, public health experts were warning for weeks that the coronavirus threat could grow into a pandemic. |
| Moreover, epidemiologists have been predicting this sort of pandemic for years. The US intelligence community, in its January 2019 Worldwide Threat Assessment, wrote: “We assess that the United States and the world will remain vulnerable to the next flu pandemic or large-scale outbreak of a contagious disease that could lead to massive rates of death and disability, severely affect the world economy, strain international resources, and increase calls on the United States for support.” | Moreover, epidemiologists have been predicting this sort of pandemic for years. The US intelligence community, in its January 2019 Worldwide Threat Assessment, wrote: “We assess that the United States and the world will remain vulnerable to the next flu pandemic or large-scale outbreak of a contagious disease that could lead to massive rates of death and disability, severely affect the world economy, strain international resources, and increase calls on the United States for support.” |
| Once again, Trump misrepresented his administration’s travel restrictions, saying that he “stopped” travel from Italy before issuing broader restrictions on travel from Europe. Through the administration issued travel advisories for parts of Italy, he never banned travel from Italy. | Once again, Trump misrepresented his administration’s travel restrictions, saying that he “stopped” travel from Italy before issuing broader restrictions on travel from Europe. Through the administration issued travel advisories for parts of Italy, he never banned travel from Italy. |
| The briefing has now reached the two hour mark. | The briefing has now reached the two hour mark. |
| “This is really easy to be negative about. But I want to give people hope, too,” Trump said, abandoning the quiet, somber tone he used earlier in the briefing. | “This is really easy to be negative about. But I want to give people hope, too,” Trump said, abandoning the quiet, somber tone he used earlier in the briefing. |
| “I’m not about bad news,” Trump said. “I want to give people hope. I want to give people the feeling that we all have a chance.” | “I’m not about bad news,” Trump said. “I want to give people hope. I want to give people the feeling that we all have a chance.” |
| As he has during previous briefings, the president then became combative, attacking reporters and dismissing what he called “stupid question”. | As he has during previous briefings, the president then became combative, attacking reporters and dismissing what he called “stupid question”. |
| “I don’t think I would’ve acted any differently. I don’t think I would’ve acted any faster,” Trump said when asked if the impeachment distracted him from the coronavirus crisis. | “I don’t think I would’ve acted any differently. I don’t think I would’ve acted any faster,” Trump said when asked if the impeachment distracted him from the coronavirus crisis. |
| Senate leader Mitch McConnell, has blamed the impeachment trial for distracting from the crisis. “I think it diverted the attention of the government because everything every day was all about impeachment,” McConnell said in an interview on “The Hugh Hewitt Show.” | Senate leader Mitch McConnell, has blamed the impeachment trial for distracting from the crisis. “I think it diverted the attention of the government because everything every day was all about impeachment,” McConnell said in an interview on “The Hugh Hewitt Show.” |
| Fact check: Even more on ventilators | Fact check: Even more on ventilators |
| Earlier, Dr. Birx said that the US is better positioned than the UK on ventilators. “They have 8000 ventilators in the UK. If you translate that to the US that would be equivalent to us having 40000 ventilators. We have five times that,” she said. | Earlier, Dr. Birx said that the US is better positioned than the UK on ventilators. “They have 8000 ventilators in the UK. If you translate that to the US that would be equivalent to us having 40000 ventilators. We have five times that,” she said. |
| Indeed, the UK Cabinet Office said that there are 8,000 ventilators currently in the NHS with a further 8,000 already on order from overseas. | Indeed, the UK Cabinet Office said that there are 8,000 ventilators currently in the NHS with a further 8,000 already on order from overseas. |
| The US has nearly five times the population of the UK, so Birx’s idea to multiply 8,000 ventilators by 5 to gauge a comparison makes sense. But it’s unclear how many ventilators the US has. Estimates published in the New England Journal of Medicine guess 60,000 to 160,000 — that’s fewer than Birx’s boast. | The US has nearly five times the population of the UK, so Birx’s idea to multiply 8,000 ventilators by 5 to gauge a comparison makes sense. But it’s unclear how many ventilators the US has. Estimates published in the New England Journal of Medicine guess 60,000 to 160,000 — that’s fewer than Birx’s boast. |
| “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,” wrote public health experts in the NEJM. | “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,” wrote public health experts in the NEJM. |
| Fact check: Travel bans | Fact check: Travel bans |
| As evidence that he acted early and effectively, the president touted his piecemeal travel bans and restrictions — which epidemiologists said could have stopped the spread of disease if implemented much earlier than they were — but ultimately did little more than cause chaos and confusion at airports. | As evidence that he acted early and effectively, the president touted his piecemeal travel bans and restrictions — which epidemiologists said could have stopped the spread of disease if implemented much earlier than they were — but ultimately did little more than cause chaos and confusion at airports. |
| “We stopped all of Europe,” Trump boasted. But the restrictions didn’t apply to all of Europe and included restrictions for several types of travelers. | “We stopped all of Europe,” Trump boasted. But the restrictions didn’t apply to all of Europe and included restrictions for several types of travelers. |
| Dr. Fauci said “I believe we acted early,” in response to a question about whether the US could have done more, earlier. But he conceded that earlier action could have helped. | Dr. Fauci said “I believe we acted early,” in response to a question about whether the US could have done more, earlier. But he conceded that earlier action could have helped. |
| Dr. Birx, as well, evaded the question, asserting that it remains to be seen whether the disease was spreading through the US in February or earlier. | Dr. Birx, as well, evaded the question, asserting that it remains to be seen whether the disease was spreading through the US in February or earlier. |
| Fact check: Hydroxychloroquine cure | Fact check: Hydroxychloroquine cure |
| Trump once again touted hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus cure, asserting that it won’t kill people because it has already been used to treat other conditions. But the drug can have serious side effects even when it is used as recommended, to treat malaria, as well as lupus and arthritis. | Trump once again touted hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus cure, asserting that it won’t kill people because it has already been used to treat other conditions. But the drug can have serious side effects even when it is used as recommended, to treat malaria, as well as lupus and arthritis. |
| Moreover, public health experts including his own top infectious diseases adviser, Dr 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. | Moreover, public health experts including his own top infectious diseases adviser, Dr 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. |
| 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. |
| Fact check: Ventilators, again | Fact check: Ventilators, again |
| The government has almost 10,000 ventilators remaining in the stockpile, Trump said, but “we are holding it back for flexibility,” he said, so they can be distributed strategically. | The government has almost 10,000 ventilators remaining in the stockpile, Trump said, but “we are holding it back for flexibility,” he said, so they can be distributed strategically. |
| The strategic reserve of medical supplies is like an oil reserve, Trump added, except more valuable. Asked about reports that governors are caught in bidding wars for the life-saving machines, Trump said: “that shouldn’t be happening.” All they need to do is ask, he said. | The strategic reserve of medical supplies is like an oil reserve, Trump added, except more valuable. Asked about reports that governors are caught in bidding wars for the life-saving machines, Trump said: “that shouldn’t be happening.” All they need to do is ask, he said. |
| But the president has repeatedly dismissed governors’ requests for medical equipment. In an interview with Fox News last week, he said “I don’t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators. You go into major hospitals sometimes, and they’ll have two ventilators. And now all of a sudden they’re saying, ‘Can we order 30,000 ventilators?’” | But the president has repeatedly dismissed governors’ requests for medical equipment. In an interview with Fox News last week, he said “I don’t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators. You go into major hospitals sometimes, and they’ll have two ventilators. And now all of a sudden they’re saying, ‘Can we order 30,000 ventilators?’” |
| Even today, he added that though governors could ask, in some cases, “they want to have more than they think they need”. | Even today, he added that though governors could ask, in some cases, “they want to have more than they think they need”. |
| “It’s not the flu,” Trump said of the coronavirus. “It is vicious.” | “It’s not the flu,” Trump said of the coronavirus. “It is vicious.” |
| The president has repeatedly compared the coronavirus pandemic to the seasonal flu. | The president has repeatedly compared the coronavirus pandemic to the seasonal flu. |
| Fact check: Late start | Fact check: Late start |
| Though Trump is seeking to blame states for a delayed response to the coronavirus crisis, the president consistently downplayed the concerns of public health officials who raised early alarms. | Though Trump is seeking to blame states for a delayed response to the coronavirus crisis, the president consistently downplayed the concerns of public health officials who raised early alarms. |
| In late January, at the Davos conference, Trump said, “It’s going to be just fine.” | In late January, at the Davos conference, Trump said, “It’s going to be just fine.” |
| In February, after the WHO announced more than 25,000 cases worldwide, Trump said that it “looks like, by April, you know, in theory, when it gets a little warmer, it miraculously goes away.” | In February, after the WHO announced more than 25,000 cases worldwide, Trump said that it “looks like, by April, you know, in theory, when it gets a little warmer, it miraculously goes away.” |
| And earlier this month, Trump tweeted this: | And earlier this month, Trump tweeted this: |
| Now, Trump is agreeing that at least 100,000 Americans could die. | Now, Trump is agreeing that at least 100,000 Americans could die. |
| Trump, Birx and Fauci have piled on New York. | Trump, Birx and Fauci have piled on New York. |
| “All of our major cities modeled like New Yor is what gets us into trouble,” Birx said. “California and Washington state reacted very early to this.” | “All of our major cities modeled like New Yor is what gets us into trouble,” Birx said. “California and Washington state reacted very early to this.” |
| “For whatever reason, New York got off to a very late start,” Trump added. “And you see what happens when you get off to a late start.” | “For whatever reason, New York got off to a very late start,” Trump added. “And you see what happens when you get off to a late start.” |
| The president is arguing that he is saving the country from a much worse fate than 100,000 to 240,000 deaths. “100,000 is, is — according to modeling, a very low number.” | The president is arguing that he is saving the country from a much worse fate than 100,000 to 240,000 deaths. “100,000 is, is — according to modeling, a very low number.” |
| “You would have had people dying all over the place,” Trump said, painting a picture of what would have happened if the country had done nothing. “You would have seen people dying in airplanes, you would have seen people dying in hotel lobbies.” | “You would have had people dying all over the place,” Trump said, painting a picture of what would have happened if the country had done nothing. “You would have seen people dying in airplanes, you would have seen people dying in hotel lobbies.” |
| “How many people have even seen anybody die?” he said. “You would have seen death all over.” | “How many people have even seen anybody die?” he said. “You would have seen death all over.” |
| Of course, Trump was among those who downplayed the seriousness of the coronavirus threat early on. Just last week, he pushed to scale back distancing measures by Easter. | Of course, Trump was among those who downplayed the seriousness of the coronavirus threat early on. Just last week, he pushed to scale back distancing measures by Easter. |
| Fact check: Testing | Fact check: Testing |
| “We are doing more than anybody else in the world, by far” on testing, Trump said. “And they’re very accurate tests.” | “We are doing more than anybody else in the world, by far” on testing, Trump said. “And they’re very accurate tests.” |
| In fact, the US has lagged behind many other countries in testing. As of Monday afternoon, the US, 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. | In fact, the US has lagged behind many other countries in testing. As of Monday afternoon, the US, 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 U.S. would have needed to conduct another 2 million tests. Moreover, 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. | To match South Korea’s testing rate, the U.S. would have needed to conduct another 2 million tests. Moreover, 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. |
| Moreover, 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. | Moreover, 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. |
| The graphic outlining the predicted number of deaths, with and without mitigation, isn’t presented in a particularly sensitive manner. As a New York Times reporter in the room noted, the slide listed as “goals” up to 240,000 deaths. | The graphic outlining the predicted number of deaths, with and without mitigation, isn’t presented in a particularly sensitive manner. As a New York Times reporter in the room noted, the slide listed as “goals” up to 240,000 deaths. |
| That terrifying number is lower than 2.2m deaths that could occur if no distancing or mitigating measures are taken, according to the model presented by Birx. | That terrifying number is lower than 2.2m deaths that could occur if no distancing or mitigating measures are taken, according to the model presented by Birx. |
| The White House has predicted 100,000 to 240,000 deaths in the US from coronavirus pandemic, even with mitigation measures. This isn’t the first time that the task force scientists have presented these grim projections. | The White House has predicted 100,000 to 240,000 deaths in the US from coronavirus pandemic, even with mitigation measures. This isn’t the first time that the task force scientists have presented these grim projections. |
| But Birx said the model doesn’t assume every American does everything they’re supposed to do, “so it can be lower than that,” she said. | But Birx said the model doesn’t assume every American does everything they’re supposed to do, “so it can be lower than that,” she said. |
| “Our hope is to get that down as much as we can,” Fauci added. The numbers are what “we need to anticipate, but that doesn’t mean that that’s what we’re going to accept.” | “Our hope is to get that down as much as we can,” Fauci added. The numbers are what “we need to anticipate, but that doesn’t mean that that’s what we’re going to accept.” |