“PROTECTING AMERICA’S SENIORS”
by Sharon Rondeau
(Apr. 30, 2020) — A Thursday White House event beginning at approximately 3:40 p.m. EDT featured President Trump’s recapping of progress made to date in combating the coronavirus by obtaining medical supplies such as ventilators. He repeated the administration’s report that no one who has needed a ventilator has been deprived of one and that “unnecessary” visitors to nursing homes ceased early in the pandemic’s arrival in the U.S.
The theme of the event is “Protecting America’s Seniors.”
A detailing of the role of the National Guard, both stateside and overseas, was provided by a commander, who reported that a total of 83,000 troops are serving during the pandemic. Their responsibilities include sanitizing nursing homes, manning food banks, and providing testing in nursing homes.
During his remarks, Trump praised state governors with whom he has become acquainted over the unfolding public-health crisis declared on March 13.
Press conferences on the pandemic have decreased in frequency and taken various new forms such as the broadcasting of remarks on Wednesday made by NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci on promising indications in the use of Gilead’s Remdesivir for shortening the duration of the coronavirus.
Trump recalled recent White House meetings with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy Thursday; Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards on Wednesday, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday He then called upon Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to speak.
Lee reported that his state has tested “over 175,000 people” to date and urged citizens to continue to practice “social distancing,” stressing the need to safeguard nursing-home residents while “preserving our freedoms.”
Following Lee, CMS Administrator Seema Verna spoke as to reporting efforts from nursing homes, reimbursement levels from Medicare to laboratories, and the launch of “weekly calls” to nursing homes to expound on the federal guidance.
“Outbreaks” in nursing homes are being monitored carefully, Verna said. She complimented Lee and “governors across our nation” for following the guidelines.
The federal “social-distancing” guidance expires today, with ongoing orders now becoming the purview of governors.