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Trump Administration’s Message on Reopening Continues to Be Contradictory Trump Administration’s Message on Reopening Continues to Be Contradictory
(about 1 month later)
WASHINGTON — A week ago, President Trump chastised Georgia for starting to reopen. “It’s too soon,” he said. But on Tuesday, he cheered Texas as it began resuming business. “Great job,” he said. And Florida may be next as the president welcomed its governor to the Oval Office.WASHINGTON — A week ago, President Trump chastised Georgia for starting to reopen. “It’s too soon,” he said. But on Tuesday, he cheered Texas as it began resuming business. “Great job,” he said. And Florida may be next as the president welcomed its governor to the Oval Office.
White House guidelines urge states to retain coronavirus restrictions until they meet certain criteria, but Attorney General William P. Barr is now threatening to sue them if he deems those limits too strict. And even as the president talks about opening the country, he has ordered it closed to immigration, even suggesting on Tuesday that flights from Brazil be banned.White House guidelines urge states to retain coronavirus restrictions until they meet certain criteria, but Attorney General William P. Barr is now threatening to sue them if he deems those limits too strict. And even as the president talks about opening the country, he has ordered it closed to immigration, even suggesting on Tuesday that flights from Brazil be banned.
With more and more states ready to resume some semblance of normal life, the messages from Mr. Trump and his administration at times have sounded contradictory and confusing. The president is anxious to get the stalled economy running again as the election grows nearer, and he has encouraged protests against restrictions in some states even as parts of his own government counsel caution for fear of rushing into a second wave of the disease.With more and more states ready to resume some semblance of normal life, the messages from Mr. Trump and his administration at times have sounded contradictory and confusing. The president is anxious to get the stalled economy running again as the election grows nearer, and he has encouraged protests against restrictions in some states even as parts of his own government counsel caution for fear of rushing into a second wave of the disease.
The contrast was on display on Tuesday even as the number of cases in the United States surpassed one million and the death toll of 52,000 approached the total American military casualties of the Vietnam War. Mr. Trump hosted Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida at the White House to talk about reopening a state that has stirred deep concern because of its disproportionate population of retirees and the crowded public beaches that remained open long after experts recommended they be closed. The president later staged a ceremony in the East Room with small businesses to talk about getting back to work.The contrast was on display on Tuesday even as the number of cases in the United States surpassed one million and the death toll of 52,000 approached the total American military casualties of the Vietnam War. Mr. Trump hosted Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida at the White House to talk about reopening a state that has stirred deep concern because of its disproportionate population of retirees and the crowded public beaches that remained open long after experts recommended they be closed. The president later staged a ceremony in the East Room with small businesses to talk about getting back to work.
“Now that our experts believe that the worst days of the pandemic are behind us, Americans are looking forward to the safe and rapid reopening of our country,” Mr. Trump said at the event as he showcased several business owners and workers benefiting from the federal relief program approved by Congress.“Now that our experts believe that the worst days of the pandemic are behind us, Americans are looking forward to the safe and rapid reopening of our country,” Mr. Trump said at the event as he showcased several business owners and workers benefiting from the federal relief program approved by Congress.
But shortly before that, one of his top health advisers, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was warning against precipitous action by the states.But shortly before that, one of his top health advisers, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was warning against precipitous action by the states.
“Hopefully everyone does it according to the guidelines for ‘Opening Up America Again,’” Dr. Fauci said, referring to the federal recommendations during a video talk sponsored by the Economic Club of Washington, D.C. Otherwise, he said, premature action could lead to “a rebound to get us right back in the same boat that we were in a few weeks ago.”“Hopefully everyone does it according to the guidelines for ‘Opening Up America Again,’” Dr. Fauci said, referring to the federal recommendations during a video talk sponsored by the Economic Club of Washington, D.C. Otherwise, he said, premature action could lead to “a rebound to get us right back in the same boat that we were in a few weeks ago.”
The president and the scientist also offered different projections about whether the virus would strike again in the fall and how hard. “This is going to go away and whether it comes back in a modified form in the fall we’ll be able to handle it,” Mr. Trump said confidently. “We’ll be able to put out spurts.”The president and the scientist also offered different projections about whether the virus would strike again in the fall and how hard. “This is going to go away and whether it comes back in a modified form in the fall we’ll be able to handle it,” Mr. Trump said confidently. “We’ll be able to put out spurts.”
Dr. Fauci, on the other hand, said the virus “is not going to disappear from the planet” and will absolutely come back. “In my mind, it’s inevitable that we will have a return of the virus or maybe even that it never went away,” he said, adding that the United States “could be in for a bad fall” if no treatment is developed by then.Dr. Fauci, on the other hand, said the virus “is not going to disappear from the planet” and will absolutely come back. “In my mind, it’s inevitable that we will have a return of the virus or maybe even that it never went away,” he said, adding that the United States “could be in for a bad fall” if no treatment is developed by then.
Even in his own public appearances on Tuesday, Mr. Trump seemed to send multiple signals. He announced that he would sign an executive order meant to keep the meat industry open while suggesting that he would stop many visitors from Latin America, test anyone entering the United States from anywhere in the world and crack down on so-called sanctuary cities that protect undocumented immigrants.Even in his own public appearances on Tuesday, Mr. Trump seemed to send multiple signals. He announced that he would sign an executive order meant to keep the meat industry open while suggesting that he would stop many visitors from Latin America, test anyone entering the United States from anywhere in the world and crack down on so-called sanctuary cities that protect undocumented immigrants.
The jarringly dissonant messages have been a persistent feature of Mr. Trump’s response to the pandemic but take on particular consequence now as states, localities, businesses and workers look to Washington for guidance on when and how to begin easing the restrictions that have been credited with preventing a worse pandemic.The jarringly dissonant messages have been a persistent feature of Mr. Trump’s response to the pandemic but take on particular consequence now as states, localities, businesses and workers look to Washington for guidance on when and how to begin easing the restrictions that have been credited with preventing a worse pandemic.
“All of our life’s experience has taught us one thing about conflicting information: It creates paralysis or contributes to ill-informed decisions,” said Chris Jennings, who was a top White House health adviser to Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. “Hardly a prescription for success; indeed a road map to failure. Having worked with states for decades, this is a tragedy.”“All of our life’s experience has taught us one thing about conflicting information: It creates paralysis or contributes to ill-informed decisions,” said Chris Jennings, who was a top White House health adviser to Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. “Hardly a prescription for success; indeed a road map to failure. Having worked with states for decades, this is a tragedy.”
Mr. Trump started his day by encouraging states to lift restrictions. “Many States moving to SAFELY & QUICKLY reopen!” he wrote in the morning, singling out Texas in particular and denying that there was any shortage of testing for the virus despite the complaints of many governors that they needed more to be able to determine how far the virus had spread before restoring a semblance of normal life.Mr. Trump started his day by encouraging states to lift restrictions. “Many States moving to SAFELY & QUICKLY reopen!” he wrote in the morning, singling out Texas in particular and denying that there was any shortage of testing for the virus despite the complaints of many governors that they needed more to be able to determine how far the virus had spread before restoring a semblance of normal life.
In hosting Mr. DeSantis at the White House, advisers said, Mr. Trump hoped to address nervousness among the battleground state’s senior citizens, who have been the most important part of his political base but are also the most vulnerable to the virus.In hosting Mr. DeSantis at the White House, advisers said, Mr. Trump hoped to address nervousness among the battleground state’s senior citizens, who have been the most important part of his political base but are also the most vulnerable to the virus.
Mr. DeSantis backed up the president, saying that “our ability to test exceeds the current demand.” Mr. Trump said that was “a fantastic thing.”Mr. DeSantis backed up the president, saying that “our ability to test exceeds the current demand.” Mr. Trump said that was “a fantastic thing.”
The governor, whose stay-at-home order expires on Friday, plans to announce on Wednesday his strategy for what he called a gradual reopening, vowing to approach it in a “thoughtful, measured and data-driven way.”The governor, whose stay-at-home order expires on Friday, plans to announce on Wednesday his strategy for what he called a gradual reopening, vowing to approach it in a “thoughtful, measured and data-driven way.”
Mr. DeSantis defended his decision not to close as early as other states, saying he had taken “tailored” steps, unlike the “draconian” restrictions imposed in other states. “Everyone in the media was saying Florida was going to be like New York or Italy, and that has not happened,” he said.Mr. DeSantis defended his decision not to close as early as other states, saying he had taken “tailored” steps, unlike the “draconian” restrictions imposed in other states. “Everyone in the media was saying Florida was going to be like New York or Italy, and that has not happened,” he said.
Updated June 2, 2020
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.
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.
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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
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.
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.
Florida continues to accept airline flights from Latin America, but Mr. Trump asked Mr. DeSantis if he would soon be “cutting off Brazil.”Florida continues to accept airline flights from Latin America, but Mr. Trump asked Mr. DeSantis if he would soon be “cutting off Brazil.”
“Well, not necessarily cut them off,” Mr. DeSantis offered.“Well, not necessarily cut them off,” Mr. DeSantis offered.
“Would you ever want to ban certain countries?” Mr. Trump asked.“Would you ever want to ban certain countries?” Mr. Trump asked.
If they were a threat to the United States, he said.If they were a threat to the United States, he said.
The governor later suggested that he could potentially resume tourism, a critical industry for Florida. “We have to make safety a priority,” he said, but “I do think there’s a path to do that.”The governor later suggested that he could potentially resume tourism, a critical industry for Florida. “We have to make safety a priority,” he said, but “I do think there’s a path to do that.”
Responding to questions from reporters, Mr. Trump again defended his handling of the virus but did not respond directly when asked if he was receiving warnings in his daily intelligence briefing in January and February, as The Washington Post has reported. “I would have to check” the dates, he said.Responding to questions from reporters, Mr. Trump again defended his handling of the virus but did not respond directly when asked if he was receiving warnings in his daily intelligence briefing in January and February, as The Washington Post has reported. “I would have to check” the dates, he said.
Data shows that Florida’s testing rate over the past week was slightly below the national average. As of Monday, the state was conducting an average of 60 tests per 100,000 residents, according to the Covid Tracking Project. The national average was 68 tests, with some states performing many more: Rhode Island was averaging 254 tests per 100,000 people, and New York 141.Data shows that Florida’s testing rate over the past week was slightly below the national average. As of Monday, the state was conducting an average of 60 tests per 100,000 residents, according to the Covid Tracking Project. The national average was 68 tests, with some states performing many more: Rhode Island was averaging 254 tests per 100,000 people, and New York 141.
Florida has more than 32,800 coronavirus cases and has endured 1,170 deaths, most of them in the three populous counties from Miami to West Palm Beach. The state reported 83 new deaths between Monday and Tuesday, the highest single-day number in the state, after three days of unusually low death totals. But on a per capita basis, Florida has only one-tenth as many cases as New York and one-twentieth as many deaths.Florida has more than 32,800 coronavirus cases and has endured 1,170 deaths, most of them in the three populous counties from Miami to West Palm Beach. The state reported 83 new deaths between Monday and Tuesday, the highest single-day number in the state, after three days of unusually low death totals. But on a per capita basis, Florida has only one-tenth as many cases as New York and one-twentieth as many deaths.
Dr. Aileen M. Marty, an infectious disease professor at Florida International University who has advised local governments on the coronavirus, said that just because Florida’s testing centers were not filled up did not mean the state was doing enough to test people who might be spreading the infection without showing signs of sickness.Dr. Aileen M. Marty, an infectious disease professor at Florida International University who has advised local governments on the coronavirus, said that just because Florida’s testing centers were not filled up did not mean the state was doing enough to test people who might be spreading the infection without showing signs of sickness.
“What we should have been doing from the get-go is: You identify a case, you do the contact tracing and you test the close contacts,” she said. “There, you’re going to find the asymptomatic carriers.”“What we should have been doing from the get-go is: You identify a case, you do the contact tracing and you test the close contacts,” she said. “There, you’re going to find the asymptomatic carriers.”
Patricia Mazzei contributed reporting from Miami, and Maggie Haberman from New York.Patricia Mazzei contributed reporting from Miami, and Maggie Haberman from New York.