This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/us/politics/coronavirus-task-force-trump.html

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Does the Coronavirus Task Force Even Matter for Trump? Does the Coronavirus Task Force Even Matter for Trump?
(3 days later)
WASHINGTON — Even for a White House that often seeks experts only for affirmation of President Trump’s instincts, his acknowledgment on Tuesday that the coronavirus task force would go out of business around Memorial Day seemed like dismantling the wheelhouse while the ship was still in a raging storm.WASHINGTON — Even for a White House that often seeks experts only for affirmation of President Trump’s instincts, his acknowledgment on Tuesday that the coronavirus task force would go out of business around Memorial Day seemed like dismantling the wheelhouse while the ship was still in a raging storm.
Then when the president reversed himself on Wednesday, he emphasized that he was keeping the task force going because he had discovered that it was “popular,” not because he needed its policy advice. Its membership might change, he said, presumably to focus more attention on his clear priority of getting the country back to work.Then when the president reversed himself on Wednesday, he emphasized that he was keeping the task force going because he had discovered that it was “popular,” not because he needed its policy advice. Its membership might change, he said, presumably to focus more attention on his clear priority of getting the country back to work.
All of which raised a question: Does it matter whether the coronavirus task force lives or dies?All of which raised a question: Does it matter whether the coronavirus task force lives or dies?
In ordinary times in Washington, it would matter a lot. It is hardly unusual for presidents to create new structures to navigate a crisis, gathering experts who can distill the work of departments and intelligence agencies and drive the execution of complex plans across a sprawling federal bureaucracy.In ordinary times in Washington, it would matter a lot. It is hardly unusual for presidents to create new structures to navigate a crisis, gathering experts who can distill the work of departments and intelligence agencies and drive the execution of complex plans across a sprawling federal bureaucracy.
It is why Harry S. Truman created the National Security Council to navigate Cold War realities in 1947, and why Dwight D. Eisenhower moved the science adviser into the White House a decade later to deal with the space race.It is why Harry S. Truman created the National Security Council to navigate Cold War realities in 1947, and why Dwight D. Eisenhower moved the science adviser into the White House a decade later to deal with the space race.
It is why John F. Kennedy met in secret with a committee of experts during the outset of the Cuban missile crisis to decide whether war or diplomacy was the right path.It is why John F. Kennedy met in secret with a committee of experts during the outset of the Cuban missile crisis to decide whether war or diplomacy was the right path.
But the coronavirus task force, led by Vice President Mike Pence, clearly had a different role.But the coronavirus task force, led by Vice President Mike Pence, clearly had a different role.
It had a psychological resonance with a scared public that wants to see and hear from medical experts after weeks of Mr. Trump’s playing down the effect of the virus. In the end, it was that public-facing role, rather than the expertise the task force gathered or the recommendations it issued to the states, that led Mr. Trump to flip-flop.It had a psychological resonance with a scared public that wants to see and hear from medical experts after weeks of Mr. Trump’s playing down the effect of the virus. In the end, it was that public-facing role, rather than the expertise the task force gathered or the recommendations it issued to the states, that led Mr. Trump to flip-flop.
“I thought we could wind it down sooner,” the president told reporters on Wednesday. “But I had no idea how popular the task force is until actually yesterday when I started talking about winding down. It is appreciated by the public.”“I thought we could wind it down sooner,” the president told reporters on Wednesday. “But I had no idea how popular the task force is until actually yesterday when I started talking about winding down. It is appreciated by the public.”
In Mr. Trump’s world, advisory committees and lawyers are usually there to provide a way for him to put his instincts into operation. So it appears with the coronavirus task force, which operates alongside other groups that have related responsibilities.In Mr. Trump’s world, advisory committees and lawyers are usually there to provide a way for him to put his instincts into operation. So it appears with the coronavirus task force, which operates alongside other groups that have related responsibilities.
One is run by Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser, to find scarce supplies and now to manage the race for a vaccine. Another is operated inside the domestic policy council. Members of the coronavirus task force wondered whether their authority was being undercut even while it was still fully functioning.One is run by Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser, to find scarce supplies and now to manage the race for a vaccine. Another is operated inside the domestic policy council. Members of the coronavirus task force wondered whether their authority was being undercut even while it was still fully functioning.
And yet, they continued meeting daily until recently.And yet, they continued meeting daily until recently.
“The question any historian would ask of Donald Trump’s leadership here is what was the role of the experts,” said the presidential historian Michael Beschloss. “How much did he actually listen to them, and how much was it simply an effort to show the public that the president was at work on the problem?”“The question any historian would ask of Donald Trump’s leadership here is what was the role of the experts,” said the presidential historian Michael Beschloss. “How much did he actually listen to them, and how much was it simply an effort to show the public that the president was at work on the problem?”
When Mr. Pence took over the task force, Mr. Trump had finally accepted that the spread of the virus had created a political challenge, advisers said. Yet it was not until three weeks later that he fully acknowledged there was a growing public health problem.When Mr. Pence took over the task force, Mr. Trump had finally accepted that the spread of the virus had created a political challenge, advisers said. Yet it was not until three weeks later that he fully acknowledged there was a growing public health problem.
On March 10, a day before an Oval Office address that was filled with errors, the president talked to aides about scheduling a rally in Florida for two weeks later. It never happened.On March 10, a day before an Oval Office address that was filled with errors, the president talked to aides about scheduling a rally in Florida for two weeks later. It never happened.
On March 16, Mr. Trump announced new guidelines for social distancing, then publicly questioned whether they were a good idea for another two weeks before seeing television stories about more than a dozen deaths in one day at Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens, where he grew up.On March 16, Mr. Trump announced new guidelines for social distancing, then publicly questioned whether they were a good idea for another two weeks before seeing television stories about more than a dozen deaths in one day at Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens, where he grew up.
By the time Dr. Anthony S. Fauci and Dr. Deborah L. Birx came to him with projections of up to 2.2 million deaths if more were not done, the president had already made up his mind that closures were necessary — though, according to advisers, he imagined a month would suffice.By the time Dr. Anthony S. Fauci and Dr. Deborah L. Birx came to him with projections of up to 2.2 million deaths if more were not done, the president had already made up his mind that closures were necessary — though, according to advisers, he imagined a month would suffice.
The height of the task force’s power — and perhaps the beginning of its downfall — can be traced to mid-April. That is when Dr. Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, and Dr. Birx, who is coordinating the task force’s day-to-day operations, developed step-by-step guidance for states that were considering lifting their lockdowns.The height of the task force’s power — and perhaps the beginning of its downfall — can be traced to mid-April. That is when Dr. Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, and Dr. Birx, who is coordinating the task force’s day-to-day operations, developed step-by-step guidance for states that were considering lifting their lockdowns.
The president participated in the rollout. Then he began to undercut it, never calling out governors who announced reopenings before meeting the White House’s standards. He sided instead with protesters looking to open even sooner.The president participated in the rollout. Then he began to undercut it, never calling out governors who announced reopenings before meeting the White House’s standards. He sided instead with protesters looking to open even sooner.
Mr. Trump, of course, has never run an ordinary presidency, and enjoys bypassing bureaucracies and undercutting experts. But there is a reason past presidents relied on new structures to manage new, terrifying realities.Mr. Trump, of course, has never run an ordinary presidency, and enjoys bypassing bureaucracies and undercutting experts. But there is a reason past presidents relied on new structures to manage new, terrifying realities.
The science office, for example, was created after the Soviets launched Sputnik, the world’s first artificial satellite, driving home the need for the United States to rise to a national security, educational and technological challenge. (Mr. Trump waited more than a year and a half into his presidency to appoint a science adviser.)The science office, for example, was created after the Soviets launched Sputnik, the world’s first artificial satellite, driving home the need for the United States to rise to a national security, educational and technological challenge. (Mr. Trump waited more than a year and a half into his presidency to appoint a science adviser.)
But it was the Cuban missile crisis that underscored the importance of a group of experts that the president could rely on.But it was the Cuban missile crisis that underscored the importance of a group of experts that the president could rely on.
“Kennedy came to office thinking the National Security Council was slow, unimaginative and bureaucratic,” Mr. Beschloss said.“Kennedy came to office thinking the National Security Council was slow, unimaginative and bureaucratic,” Mr. Beschloss said.
Updated June 12, 2020Updated June 12, 2020
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.
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.
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.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.
Then Kennedy stumbled into the Bay of Pigs — a sloppily run, failed effort to mount a coup in Cuba with a bunch of amateurs — “and one of his conclusions was that in dealing with the crisis he needed experts with long experience to advise him on whether policies to deal with a crisis would succeed or fail,” Mr. Beschloss said.Then Kennedy stumbled into the Bay of Pigs — a sloppily run, failed effort to mount a coup in Cuba with a bunch of amateurs — “and one of his conclusions was that in dealing with the crisis he needed experts with long experience to advise him on whether policies to deal with a crisis would succeed or fail,” Mr. Beschloss said.
That is what led to Kennedy’s executive committee — known as Ex Comm — which was contentious, argumentative and, in the early days of the crisis, leaned toward military action that easily could have escalated into nuclear war. But over time, and with the arrival of new evidence, it developed a different approach, finding a way to steer clear of mutual annihilation.That is what led to Kennedy’s executive committee — known as Ex Comm — which was contentious, argumentative and, in the early days of the crisis, leaned toward military action that easily could have escalated into nuclear war. But over time, and with the arrival of new evidence, it developed a different approach, finding a way to steer clear of mutual annihilation.
These days, the evidence arriving on Mr. Trump’s desk shows that while new cases of the coronavirus are declining in the New York City area, they are rising in much of the rest of the country. Medical experts are saying that now is no time to depart from the guidelines issued by the task force only three weeks ago.These days, the evidence arriving on Mr. Trump’s desk shows that while new cases of the coronavirus are declining in the New York City area, they are rising in much of the rest of the country. Medical experts are saying that now is no time to depart from the guidelines issued by the task force only three weeks ago.
Mr. Trump does not want to hear it. But it turns out that he does want to retain the appearance of gathering the best and the brightest.Mr. Trump does not want to hear it. But it turns out that he does want to retain the appearance of gathering the best and the brightest.
“I think the White House task force at this juncture is largely symbolic, but for a president that 50 percent of the country thinks lies chronically, it’s sort of reassuring to know that there are other medical professionals and lawmakers keeping their hand on the” tiller, said Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian.“I think the White House task force at this juncture is largely symbolic, but for a president that 50 percent of the country thinks lies chronically, it’s sort of reassuring to know that there are other medical professionals and lawmakers keeping their hand on the” tiller, said Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian.
If nothing else, he said, it serves “to reassure a jittery public.”If nothing else, he said, it serves “to reassure a jittery public.”
David E. Sanger reported from Washington, and Maggie Haberman from New York.David E. Sanger reported from Washington, and Maggie Haberman from New York.