ON CHINA: “WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THE ANSWERS”
by Sharon Rondeau
(Apr. 27, 2020) — Monday’s coronavirus press conference, which was earlier reported “removed” from the White House schedule and then restored, began with President Trump in the Rose Garden announcing that cases of the illness “are declining” in many metropolitan areas and former “hot spots.”
He said the gains achieved have been “hard-fought” and “we grieve by the side” of those who have lost loved ones to the virus.
Trump reported he earlier met with leaders of diagnostic companies and medical/grocery retailers to discuss the expansion of testing. He called the developments to date “truly an amazing thing,” including a test which yields results in five minutes which came to market recently.
Trump called upon the CEOs of several companies which will be involved in expanded testing to speak, including Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and U.S. Cotton, the latter of which will be making swabs to be included in new test kits.
Larry Merlo, CEO of CVS, said that certain stores have been providing testing which will be expanded from its current level of 35,000 tests a week.
Richard Ashworth, President of Walgreens, said that his company “will be able to triple” the current testing level and that Walgreens “is very excited about the public-private partnership” with the federal government. He said that “pharmacy” is “right here in the community,” citing his previous experience as a pharmacist.
Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen said his company is providing a “blueprint” “on “how to get America back working.” The chain is conducting coronavirus testing, he said.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon thanked his employees for their work throughout the crisis and said his company has joined with two others to produce six million surgical gowns.
Heyward Donigan, CEO of Rite-Aid, said she appreciates her associates and the chain’s customers for their efforts and that the company will be expanding its testing.
Trump resumed the podium and said that he had a “great call” with the nation’s governors. He also said that a plethora of “unnecessary deaths” has stemmed from the pandemic.
He reiterated that last Monday, governors were informed of a complete list of labs in their states which can test for the virus, after which he said testing immediately more than doubled.
Trump described a “blueprint” for reopening which will involve testing, contact-tracing, and other supports. He said the coronavirus “is not something that the world has seen for a long, long time,” hearkening back to the 1917-18 Spanish flu pandemic.
White House Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx then amplified on “the blueprint” with the presentation of slides. The “testing” component includes three items, she said: “robust diagnostic testing plans,” “timely monitoring systems,” and “rapid response programs.”
The CDC will be “working with every state government” to contain any outbreaks which may occur, she said, and that it is important that antibody tests have “high quality in predicting both exposure to the virus and antibody development.”
At 6:02, U.S. Public Health Service official Adm. Brett Giroir outlined an “8-Part Plan” utilized by the administration to fight the virus. Stage 1 involved devising a “foundation for diagnostic testing” and engaging the private sector, as appeared on accompanying slides. Stage 2, “Scale,” expanded “public and private-sector testing infrastructure” and strengthened the “testing supply chain.”
Giroir said the federal government will be supplying enough materials to enable a dramatic increase in testing, particularly in “remote areas.”
Trump then took questions from the press, the first of which concerned states’ reopening plans. Specifically as to schools, Trump said he expects some systems will reopen, if only for a short time before the traditional end of the school year arrives. “The word is ‘safety,'” he said.
To a Breitbart reporter’s question about the cause of the pandemic, Trump said his administration is conducting an investigation into how it began. “We are not happy with China,” he said, followed by, “We should be able to get the answers.”
Trump said that governors did not “complain” during the call and, to reporters, “I think you know what the result of that call was.”
As to a memorandum issued by Attorney General William Barr on Monday, Trump said that restriction of “rights” “can cause death” stemming from loss of income and that the Justice Department wishes to preserve the freedoms of Americans during the public health crisis.
Vice President Mike Pence reported that 5.4 million coronavirus tests have been done and praised Trump’s liaising with the private sector to make that possible.
Giroir retook the podium at Pence’s request to explain the dramatically expanded testing expected in May.
ABC’s Jonathan Karl asked Pence what the administration has “learned” from having fallen short of its original testing goal. In response, Pence said that Karl “misunderstood” the issue as Trump looked on, exhibiting a slight grin.
In breaking news, Trump said in response to a reporter’s question about North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un that he is aware of Kims current situation but that he “can’t talk about it” now. However, he said in the near future, he will likely provide an update on the information he has.
At 6:33 p.m., Trump abruptly ended the presser and made his exit while reporters shouted additional questions.
Update, 7:00 p.m. EDT: The White House has published the “8-Part Plan” here. Giroir appears in a video speaking about “safely reopening the economy.”