President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and multiple other officials addressed the nation Tuesday morning in another daily briefing over the coronavirus outbreak.
The quick takeaways:
- Pence asked for construction companies to donate inventories of N95 masks to local hospitals.
- Treasure Sec. Steve Mnuchin mentioned the government was working to deliver money to the American people as soon as possible to curb economic downturns.
- Mnuchin said millionaires likely wouldn’t receive checks.
- Mnuchin said the federal government intends to keep markets open.
Here’s a look at what Trump, Mnuchin, Pence and others said during the speech:
President Donald Trump:
Trump calls Dr. Fauci "a total television star."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "I'll tell you my best decision. The people behind me are total pros."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says calling the coronavirus the "China Virus" doesn't create a stigma. He said China saying it came from the US military does create a stigma, though.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "Our military didn't give it to anybody."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says US is talking with Canada and Mexico about what to do with the borders.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says there are hot spots in trouble that will need help with hospitals. "There are areas of the country that don't have much of a problem."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "Getting along with Democrats, getting along with Republicans ... there's been a lot of spirit. It's been really nice to see."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "When you do a steep curve, a lot of people are gonna die."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "We will have an economy like we've never had before."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "I don't think in terms of recession. I think in terms of getting it out. ... We have to knock out this enemy. This is a really tough enemy."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says he "didn't fell different" yesterday. He said he believed it was a pandemic before it was called a pandemic.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "One of the most important things, when you write the history of this" is the travel restrictions from China.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "We're just going step by step."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says one day the US will be "on the other side of the curve."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says the economy will come "roaring back."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "We want to save the maximum number of lives."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "If people do what we're asking them to do ... we're gonna save a lot of lives."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "The model we have is we want to save a lot of lives."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "We look at every model. ... All of the people who have done those models are in constant contact with Dr. Birx, Tony."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "Enjoy your home. Stay."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says he'll work with NY Gov. Cuomo on quick hospitals. "A lot of positive things have taken place."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says West Virginia won't need any quick hospitals. "West Virginia is the only one who has no cases. That's being treated different than a New York or California."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump gives governors permission to order equipment to make it move faster. "That was totally misinterpreted by the New York Times, on purpose, unfortunately."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says the country has ordered "massive numbers" of equipment. "This has never been done before."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "We're getting rid of this virus."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says he wants to have "a big infusion. ... We want to go big, go solid." He says he doesn't want to have meetings every few days over this. "We're going big."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump references the Congress bill as a "big, bold package."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
"I don't think I've seen anything like it."
Trump says the government realizes not everyone can work from home. "They're showing up" to provide goods and services the country needs.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says "we're trying to get people to buy less if possible. Buy less."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says one day they're going to stand there and say, "Well, we won."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says New York is the "number one hot spot. No fault of anybody. It's just the way it is."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says Democrats and Republicans are working together. He praises Cuomo over coordination in New York. "Different states need different things."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "We have to fight the invisible enemy."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says he expects the economy to come back very rapidly. "Our country can be rolling again, pretty quickly."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump: "We're asking everyone to work at home if possible."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says pickup companies are doing a good job as well.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Trump says drive-thru and takeout services can help "in the weeks ahead."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Pence:
Pence: "We will get through this, and we will get through this together."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Pence requests construction companies to "donate inventory" of M95 masks to hospitals.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Pence says all health experts say you don't need results of testings to know what you should do.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Pence says CVS, Target, Walmart, etc., could expand remote testing around the country.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Pence says testing is available in all states. State health authorities can authorize labs for tests.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Pence says testing is available in all states. State health authorities can authorize labs for tests.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Mnuchin:
Mnuchin says the markets should remain open. He says Americans should see what's happening and have access to their money.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Mnuchin says: "There's a lot of bipartisan support for these issues."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Mnuchin says there will be a program that helps all businesses.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Mnuchin says many companies have apps to order ahead of time. You can get there, the good will be ready. "It will be very fast."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Mnuchin says "This is stuff we have to do now. ... This is no fault of American workers."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Mnuchin says "This is worse than 9/11 for the airline industry."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Mnuchin says the numbers are "out there" and he will be sharing them with Congress today.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Mnuchin says: "I mean now within the next two weeks."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Mnuchin says they're "looking to sending checks to Americans immediately."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Mnuchin says a stimulus package to American worker. He calls it "business interruption" payments for American workers.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Mnuchin says you can defer IRS payments for $1 million.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Mnuchin says people should file their taxes on April 15 if they can. People can get tax refunds that way and the government doesn't want people to not get those refunds.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
American health policy consultant Seema Verma:
Seema Verma says tele-health will expand because of coronavirus.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Verma says people who need checkups don't need exposure to the virus because they can get checked through tele-health.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Verma says Telehealth services will be provided in a lot of settings.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Seema Verma says tele-health will expand because of coronavirus.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Dr. Deborah Birx, coronavirus response coordinator for White House task force:
Birx says mortality for those under 30 is really low.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Birx says older generations to stay home. Younger generations to avoid bars, restaurants, grocery stores, etc.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Birx: "Every single generation has a role to play."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Birx says all generations to follow the guidelines -- from generation Z to millennials to generation X.
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Birx says states have permission to ensure quality of coronavirus tests. "Testing should not be used as an assessment of your risk."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Dr. Anthony Fauci
Fauci: "Even if we had no testing, we should be doing what we're doing now."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Fauci: "Don't get the attitude of 'I'm young, I'm invulnerable."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Fauci: "I hope if everybody does their job, we'll be able to give you a number."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Fauci says there will be "a hump instead of a peak."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020
Fauci says it's hard to predict when the curve will bend. "We don't really know."
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) March 17, 2020