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BREAKING NEWS: Donald Trump closes the borders with Europe from midnight on Friday in effort to beat coronavirus as he pleads with Americans 'wash your hands' and pledges financial aid to help the sick and keep economy from collapse
President Donald Trump told the nation he was ordering an immediate shut-down of all travel from Europe to the United States as he addressed the nation on the coronavirus in a prime time Wednesday speech.
'We will be suspending all travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days,' Trump announced, in a speech from the Oval Office to the nation.
Speaking hours after world health officials declared the coronavirus a pandemic, Trump repeatedly defended his own actions and vowed the nation would prevail in countering the virus and getting treatment on the market.
'The new rules will go into effect Friday at midnight,' he said.
He urged elderly Americans to take great caution, urged cutting off visitors to nursing homes, and told Americans to wash their hands diligently.
'The virus will not have a chance against us - no nation is more prepared or more resilient than the United States,' he said.
He explained the new measure as a matter of protecting the nation from the rapidly spreading virus.
'I will always put the well-being of America first,' Trump declared.
Seated at the Resolute desk, he also revealed plans to use executive powers to push out loans to small businesses and delay tax payments by companies and individuals affected by the virus.
'We are mobilizing the full power of the federal government and private sector to protect the American people,' he said.
The epicenter of the disease in Europe is in Italy, where the government ordered the shutdown of virtually the entire economy as the number of people diagnosed soared and overwhelmed hospitals had to decide who to save from death.
Health officials have warned in recent days about the risk of further spread of the virus from European travelers visiting the U.S. or Americans returning from trips there. Earlier Wednesday, Italy announced a shutdown of much commerce within its borders.
'These restrictions will be adjusted subject to conditions on the ground,' he said. He said there would be exemptions for Americans who underwent 'appropriate screenings.'
He said the prohibitions would apply to the 'tremndous amount of trade and cargo, but various other things as we get approval.'
Trump also spoke to trade between Europe and the U.S. 'Anything coming from Europe to the United States is what we are discussing,' he said.
Yet he said the restrictions 'will also not apply to the United Kingdom.'
Trump blasted the EU, with whom he has sparred in the past, after praising his own decision to cut travel with China early in the outbreak.
'The European Union failed to take the same precautions,' Trump said. He called his measures 'strong but necessary actions.'
The UK is not a member of the European Union, having left on January 31 through Brexit.
But Trump, who has clashed the Europeans over trade and tariffs throughout his tenure, also dangled the possibility of a 'possible early opening.'
On health matters, Trump said, 'We are cutting massive amounts of red tape to make antiviral therapies available in record time.'
He did not repeat his earlier claims that a vaccine might be available far earlier than the year and a half estimates of health professionals.
On testing capability, Trump said simply: 'We are moving very quickly.' He earlier took heat for saying every American who wanted a test could have one, even as the U.S. lags South Korea and other nations on testing.
Trump said the risk was 'very, very low' for the vast majority of Americans.'
However, he said: 'The highest risk is for elderly population with underlying health conditions.'
'The elderly population must be very, very careful. In particular, we are strongly advising that nursing homes for the elderly suspend all medically unnecessary visits,' Trump said.
The VA has already done that in its more than 100 nursing homes for the elderly, the only ones under direct federal control.
Trump was seated with his hands folded for the event. He took a somber tone, even as he repeatedly praised his own administration's handling of the deadly outbreak that has caused financial markets to tumble amid the mounting death toll and infection rate.
He paused and took deep breaths at times during his remarks. Democrats and other have criticized the president for minimizing the outbreak and repeatedly telling the nation everything would be fine, and even encouraging people to buy stocks.
White House aides did not allow a press pool to be present, only a single camera and still photographer for the address.
The famously germaphobic Trump offered health tips in keeping with what the nation's health officials are providing. He referenced new administration guidance on social distancing and large crowds, but gave no firm instructions.
'Smart action today will prevent the spread of the virus tomorrow,' Trump said.
'For all Americans it is essential that everyone take extra precautions and practice good hygiene,' Trump advised.
'Each of us has a role to play in defeating this virus. Wash your hands. Clean often-used surfaces. Cover your face and mouth if you sneeze or cough.
'And most of all, if you're sick and not feeling well: stay home,' he said, speaking with emphasis.
The address to the nation was hurriedly - and chaotically - announced on Wednesday afternoon as Trump met the nation's top bankers in the White House cabinet room.
Even amid new economic anxiety, Trump talked up the U.S. economy's potential.
'Prior to the coronavirus it was it was just all go, the numbers were fantastic,' Trump told bank executives. 'We don't even know what the numbers are now, we'll have to see. The numbers from a week ago were great, from two days ago were great.'
He continued: 'Now we're hitting a patch and we're going to have to do something with respect to getting rid of this virus as quickly as possible and as safely as possible.'
He predicted problems would be a short term, after he and advisors encouraged investors to buy in the stock market.
'We think it's going to be a short term period,' Trump said. 'If we get rid of it quickly, everything solves itself,' Trump said.
'We're having to fix a problem that four weeks ago nobody ever thought would be a problem. You read about them. You read about them from 1917 and from lots of other times. But nobody thought that we would be seeing … This came out of nowhere. Actually came out of China, which is the way it works,' Trump said.
Trump was most likely referencing the Spanish flu of 1918, which killed millions and is estimated to have infected up to a third of the world population. However various government medical officials have warned about the risk of a pandemic, including during the outbreaks of diseases like SARS and MERS in recent years.
He didn't reveal any details of how to get rid of the virus. The nation's top infectious disease expert spoke Wednesday about the process of developing a vaccine and a focus on therapeutic treatment.
The president wouldn't say whether he will declare a national emergency or cut off travel to Europe, following reports the administration was discussing new restrictions.
Trump continued to make up-beat economic predictions. 'I think there'll be a pent up demand when this is gone. I think that everything maybe where it's tamped down now people aren't leaving their homes, you're going to see a tremendous pent up demand which hopefully won't be in the too distant future,' Trump said.
He preceded his remarks with new calls to action on Twitter, after getting hammered by Democrats for failing to take the outbreak seriously enough.
'I am fully prepared to use the full power of the Federal Government to deal with our current challenge of the CoronaVirus!' Trump wrote.
Trump's PR pushback came as tensions rose inside the White House, with hand sanitizers placed in strategic locations, a drop of more than 1,000 points on the Dow, and the World Health Organization labeling the outbreak as a pandemic.
'This is the first pandemic caused by coronavirus,' said the WHO's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Politico reported that Trump was reluctant to declare a state of emergency, to avoid stoking panic. That would involve a role for Federal Emergency Management Agency and freeing up money for states.
More limited ideas being floated have included tax relief for hourly workers, delaying the April 15 filing deadline, and actions to push out more small business loans.
'Someone needs to tell the Democrats in Congress that CoronaVirus doesn't care what party you are in. We need to protect ALL Americans!' Trump tweeted Wednesday afternoon.
'America is the Greatest Country in the world. We have the best scientists, doctors, nurses and health care professionals. They are amazing people who do phenomenal things every day,' Trump wrote in another tweet. 'Together we are putting into policy a plan to prevent, detect, treat and create a vaccine against CoronaVirus to save lives in America and the world. America will get it done!' he wrote.
Hours earlier, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, testified that the coronavirus was ten times more deadly than the flu – a disease Trump has previously tweeted about while urging calm and saying the nation would prevail.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), who chairs the House oversight committee, told a panel of expert witnesses during a hearing on the disease: 'This morning we were informed that President Trump and Vice President Pence have called our witnesses to an emergency meeting at the White House. We don't know the details, just that it is extremely urgent.'
She later cited reports that the gather was not an emergency meeting, adding: 'However that's not what your staff just told us.'
Fauci issued dire warnings at the House committee hearing.
'Bottom line, it's going to get worse,' Fauci, the director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said. He warned millions will be affected.
'If we are complacent and don't do really aggressive containment and mitigation, the number could go way up and be involved in many, many millions. If we contain we could flatten it,' he noted, pushing back when asked to pin down how many might be infected.
He also recommended large sporting events be banned.
He said that the WHO estimated it to be lethal in 3.4% of recorded cases so far, a figure he expects to drop to 1% - 'which means it's 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu.'
'We would recommend that there not be large crowds. If that means not having any people in the audience as the N.B.A. plays, so be it,' he said.
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee prohibited gatherings of over 250 people in counties around Seattle, in just the latest move to restrict interactions to contain 'community spread.' Basketball games, classes, and festivals were being cancelled and postponed. The NCAA announced that division one college games would be played in arenas without crowd during the famed 'March Madness' tournament.
The NBA's Golden State Warriors announced the team will play its next home game without fans, in a part of the country where the Diamond Princess was moored offshore after an outbreak.
Additional new government actions were not immediately clear. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar was to 'take all appropriate and necessary steps' so health care workers could get respirators needed when treating coronavirus patients. Shortages are a concern, as is the manufacture of many face masks for industrial rather than medical use.
The administration continues to assemble possible tax ideas to address the market drop and economic impacts. House Democrats are readying legislative action on their own ideas.
Closures of schools, festivals, and sporting events continued to pile up. Trump's call to action came one day after he sent a different signal. 'Just stay calm. It will go away,' he told reporters after meeting with Senate Republicans.
In earlier tweets, Trump made use of one of the many times Vice President Mike Pence praised his response, sending Pence's televised acclaim to the boss to his 74 million followers
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...orders-Europe-pledges-financial-aid-sick.html
- President finally addresses the nation on coronavirus as its spread across the world is officially declared a pandemic
- He announced he was closing the borders with Europe from midnight on Friday, with the UK exempt
- Trump blamed the European Union for the spread of the virus, calling it 'foreign'
- Cast aside days of downplaying its threat to American life and economy to say that the resources of the federal government will be deployed to beat it
- Warned that the World Health Organization had declared the virus a pandemic
- He pleaded with Americans 'wash your hands' and told elderly people to limit social contact
- Said he would guarantee financial aid for the sick and those caring for them and help small businesses and the worst-hit sectors
- 'The virus will not have a chance against us - no nation is more prepared or more resilient than the United States,' he said
- But he did not declare federal state of emergency as some had urged
- Dramatic change of tone came after markets plunged and officially entered 'bear territory,' meaning the loss of 20% of their value
- Spoke at 9pm EST in Oval Office in address carried on all TV networks
- SCROLL DOWN FOR THE CDC'S GUIDANCE ON HOW TO HELP BEAT CORONAVIRUS
President Donald Trump told the nation he was ordering an immediate shut-down of all travel from Europe to the United States as he addressed the nation on the coronavirus in a prime time Wednesday speech.
'We will be suspending all travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days,' Trump announced, in a speech from the Oval Office to the nation.
Speaking hours after world health officials declared the coronavirus a pandemic, Trump repeatedly defended his own actions and vowed the nation would prevail in countering the virus and getting treatment on the market.
'The new rules will go into effect Friday at midnight,' he said.
He urged elderly Americans to take great caution, urged cutting off visitors to nursing homes, and told Americans to wash their hands diligently.
'The virus will not have a chance against us - no nation is more prepared or more resilient than the United States,' he said.
He explained the new measure as a matter of protecting the nation from the rapidly spreading virus.
'I will always put the well-being of America first,' Trump declared.
Seated at the Resolute desk, he also revealed plans to use executive powers to push out loans to small businesses and delay tax payments by companies and individuals affected by the virus.
'We are mobilizing the full power of the federal government and private sector to protect the American people,' he said.
The epicenter of the disease in Europe is in Italy, where the government ordered the shutdown of virtually the entire economy as the number of people diagnosed soared and overwhelmed hospitals had to decide who to save from death.
Health officials have warned in recent days about the risk of further spread of the virus from European travelers visiting the U.S. or Americans returning from trips there. Earlier Wednesday, Italy announced a shutdown of much commerce within its borders.
'These restrictions will be adjusted subject to conditions on the ground,' he said. He said there would be exemptions for Americans who underwent 'appropriate screenings.'
He said the prohibitions would apply to the 'tremndous amount of trade and cargo, but various other things as we get approval.'
Trump also spoke to trade between Europe and the U.S. 'Anything coming from Europe to the United States is what we are discussing,' he said.
Yet he said the restrictions 'will also not apply to the United Kingdom.'
Trump blasted the EU, with whom he has sparred in the past, after praising his own decision to cut travel with China early in the outbreak.
'The European Union failed to take the same precautions,' Trump said. He called his measures 'strong but necessary actions.'
The UK is not a member of the European Union, having left on January 31 through Brexit.
But Trump, who has clashed the Europeans over trade and tariffs throughout his tenure, also dangled the possibility of a 'possible early opening.'
On health matters, Trump said, 'We are cutting massive amounts of red tape to make antiviral therapies available in record time.'
He did not repeat his earlier claims that a vaccine might be available far earlier than the year and a half estimates of health professionals.
On testing capability, Trump said simply: 'We are moving very quickly.' He earlier took heat for saying every American who wanted a test could have one, even as the U.S. lags South Korea and other nations on testing.
Trump said the risk was 'very, very low' for the vast majority of Americans.'
However, he said: 'The highest risk is for elderly population with underlying health conditions.'
'The elderly population must be very, very careful. In particular, we are strongly advising that nursing homes for the elderly suspend all medically unnecessary visits,' Trump said.
The VA has already done that in its more than 100 nursing homes for the elderly, the only ones under direct federal control.
Trump was seated with his hands folded for the event. He took a somber tone, even as he repeatedly praised his own administration's handling of the deadly outbreak that has caused financial markets to tumble amid the mounting death toll and infection rate.
He paused and took deep breaths at times during his remarks. Democrats and other have criticized the president for minimizing the outbreak and repeatedly telling the nation everything would be fine, and even encouraging people to buy stocks.
White House aides did not allow a press pool to be present, only a single camera and still photographer for the address.
The famously germaphobic Trump offered health tips in keeping with what the nation's health officials are providing. He referenced new administration guidance on social distancing and large crowds, but gave no firm instructions.
'Smart action today will prevent the spread of the virus tomorrow,' Trump said.
'For all Americans it is essential that everyone take extra precautions and practice good hygiene,' Trump advised.
'Each of us has a role to play in defeating this virus. Wash your hands. Clean often-used surfaces. Cover your face and mouth if you sneeze or cough.
'And most of all, if you're sick and not feeling well: stay home,' he said, speaking with emphasis.
The address to the nation was hurriedly - and chaotically - announced on Wednesday afternoon as Trump met the nation's top bankers in the White House cabinet room.
Even amid new economic anxiety, Trump talked up the U.S. economy's potential.
'Prior to the coronavirus it was it was just all go, the numbers were fantastic,' Trump told bank executives. 'We don't even know what the numbers are now, we'll have to see. The numbers from a week ago were great, from two days ago were great.'
He continued: 'Now we're hitting a patch and we're going to have to do something with respect to getting rid of this virus as quickly as possible and as safely as possible.'
He predicted problems would be a short term, after he and advisors encouraged investors to buy in the stock market.
'We think it's going to be a short term period,' Trump said. 'If we get rid of it quickly, everything solves itself,' Trump said.
'We're having to fix a problem that four weeks ago nobody ever thought would be a problem. You read about them. You read about them from 1917 and from lots of other times. But nobody thought that we would be seeing … This came out of nowhere. Actually came out of China, which is the way it works,' Trump said.
Trump was most likely referencing the Spanish flu of 1918, which killed millions and is estimated to have infected up to a third of the world population. However various government medical officials have warned about the risk of a pandemic, including during the outbreaks of diseases like SARS and MERS in recent years.
He didn't reveal any details of how to get rid of the virus. The nation's top infectious disease expert spoke Wednesday about the process of developing a vaccine and a focus on therapeutic treatment.
The president wouldn't say whether he will declare a national emergency or cut off travel to Europe, following reports the administration was discussing new restrictions.
Trump continued to make up-beat economic predictions. 'I think there'll be a pent up demand when this is gone. I think that everything maybe where it's tamped down now people aren't leaving their homes, you're going to see a tremendous pent up demand which hopefully won't be in the too distant future,' Trump said.
He preceded his remarks with new calls to action on Twitter, after getting hammered by Democrats for failing to take the outbreak seriously enough.
'I am fully prepared to use the full power of the Federal Government to deal with our current challenge of the CoronaVirus!' Trump wrote.
Trump's PR pushback came as tensions rose inside the White House, with hand sanitizers placed in strategic locations, a drop of more than 1,000 points on the Dow, and the World Health Organization labeling the outbreak as a pandemic.
'This is the first pandemic caused by coronavirus,' said the WHO's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Politico reported that Trump was reluctant to declare a state of emergency, to avoid stoking panic. That would involve a role for Federal Emergency Management Agency and freeing up money for states.
More limited ideas being floated have included tax relief for hourly workers, delaying the April 15 filing deadline, and actions to push out more small business loans.
'Someone needs to tell the Democrats in Congress that CoronaVirus doesn't care what party you are in. We need to protect ALL Americans!' Trump tweeted Wednesday afternoon.
'America is the Greatest Country in the world. We have the best scientists, doctors, nurses and health care professionals. They are amazing people who do phenomenal things every day,' Trump wrote in another tweet. 'Together we are putting into policy a plan to prevent, detect, treat and create a vaccine against CoronaVirus to save lives in America and the world. America will get it done!' he wrote.
Hours earlier, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, testified that the coronavirus was ten times more deadly than the flu – a disease Trump has previously tweeted about while urging calm and saying the nation would prevail.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), who chairs the House oversight committee, told a panel of expert witnesses during a hearing on the disease: 'This morning we were informed that President Trump and Vice President Pence have called our witnesses to an emergency meeting at the White House. We don't know the details, just that it is extremely urgent.'
She later cited reports that the gather was not an emergency meeting, adding: 'However that's not what your staff just told us.'
Fauci issued dire warnings at the House committee hearing.
'Bottom line, it's going to get worse,' Fauci, the director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said. He warned millions will be affected.
'If we are complacent and don't do really aggressive containment and mitigation, the number could go way up and be involved in many, many millions. If we contain we could flatten it,' he noted, pushing back when asked to pin down how many might be infected.
He also recommended large sporting events be banned.
He said that the WHO estimated it to be lethal in 3.4% of recorded cases so far, a figure he expects to drop to 1% - 'which means it's 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu.'
'We would recommend that there not be large crowds. If that means not having any people in the audience as the N.B.A. plays, so be it,' he said.
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee prohibited gatherings of over 250 people in counties around Seattle, in just the latest move to restrict interactions to contain 'community spread.' Basketball games, classes, and festivals were being cancelled and postponed. The NCAA announced that division one college games would be played in arenas without crowd during the famed 'March Madness' tournament.
The NBA's Golden State Warriors announced the team will play its next home game without fans, in a part of the country where the Diamond Princess was moored offshore after an outbreak.
Additional new government actions were not immediately clear. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar was to 'take all appropriate and necessary steps' so health care workers could get respirators needed when treating coronavirus patients. Shortages are a concern, as is the manufacture of many face masks for industrial rather than medical use.
The administration continues to assemble possible tax ideas to address the market drop and economic impacts. House Democrats are readying legislative action on their own ideas.
Closures of schools, festivals, and sporting events continued to pile up. Trump's call to action came one day after he sent a different signal. 'Just stay calm. It will go away,' he told reporters after meeting with Senate Republicans.
In earlier tweets, Trump made use of one of the many times Vice President Mike Pence praised his response, sending Pence's televised acclaim to the boss to his 74 million followers
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...orders-Europe-pledges-financial-aid-sick.html
, but not funny. But even funnier those same infected people will fly to the USA from UK.
