Coronavirus Task Force holds White House briefing
Question the financial, that was moving. Along very nicely I wanna thank. You for being here and update you on the progress we've made after, a week of extraordinary. Mobilization. In. Our war against the virus. Governor's. Mayor's the, businesses, charities and citizens, are all working with urgency, and. Speed, toward. One common goal which. Is saving American, lives were. In. Communication with. Foreign. Countries, it's. Now at. 148. Foreign. Countries can you believe that 100. You talk about a spread you talk about a. Violent. Spread. 148. Countries, not. Even believable. There's. Been a week of national, action and of great national, solidarity, people. Are getting along we're getting along. With. Republicans. And Democrats and independents. And. Liberals. And conservatives and. Actually it's a very nice thing to say, we're. All one beautiful, big American, family and that's taking. Place right now last. Night I approved a major, disaster, declaration for. The state of New York I worked. Very closely with Governor, Cuomo and. Is. The first time in our nation's history that a presidents used the Stafford, Act to declare a major disaster, in response, to, a public health crisis, never happened before and. Considering, other areas. Where. We may. Or. May not be doing it and. Working. Very closely with Gavin, Newsom governor. Of California. And others, we. May be doing the same thing depending. On their needs depending on what they are asking, for it's. Been unprecedented. Action, in New York and we've. Had a tremendous, federal. Response. All. Over the country and I want to thank all the people in the federal government, and obviously in the state governments, and local governments. We. Are working. Hard everybody is working hard and the. People, standing. Alongside of me are working very hard that, I can tell you, we've. Also reached agreements, with Canada and Mexico, on. New travel, rules at our northern. And southern borders, to. Halt the entry of the. Chinese. Virus well, continuing. Trade and commerce. And. We've had very good talks I've. With. Prime Minister Trudeau and today, this morning with President Lopez. Obrador. We. Talked about joint measures, that were taken to prevent the spread of the virus in, our countries, and to temporarily, suspend, non-essential. Travel. We. Had a great conversation this, morning president, of Mexico. And. Our close cooperation with, Mexico. And. Canada will keep our people healthy keep their people healthy, keep. Everybody safe, yesterday. I had a call with 12,000. Small businesses. Representatives. Of these businesses. That's, the engine of our country, people don't realize that you know you read all about the big ones but these. Small business, when you add them up together is a really the engine economic. Engine of our country and. I assured them that my administration, is doing everything within it's very considerable. Considerable. Power frankly, to support, them and their. Employees nobody's, ever done what we've done likewise. I had calls during the week with. All. Sorts, of. Representatives. And systems, like the hospital system. We. Spoke to many of the hospital, systems throughout the country. Nurses, and doctors representatives. Representing, hundreds. Of thousands, of nurses and doctors. Airlines. And cruise ship companies. The. Business Roundtable which, was. Fully attended, and it's all of the top CEOs, of, of. Our country and beyond frankly, the businessmen. Of. Really. These are world a world. Style businessman these are a businessman, that control. The biggest companies in the world, many. Of them have taken hits and many of them are just you know going forward that they've got their businesses have been have. Been great some have been very badly affected some, of it affected. At all and frankly some. Or doing. Very well they continue to do very well it's, Walmart. As an example has been really helpful to us, Doug. McMillon head, of Walmart, really, helpful to us and I guess I assume, they're doing pretty well because people is certainly buying by more and more than. Even a clip at Christmas. By substantial. Numbers pretty amazing, but they're doing, incredibly. They. Put on tremendous, extra staff you don't have empty shelves a lot, of things have happened that are very good. Restaurants. Fast food executives. Grocery, stores, all.
Retailers. Literally. All of them, in. Groups and. We. Spoke with the g7 leaders at, length as you know you probably know about that. Spoke. To many of the governors spoke to almost all of the governor's at conference calls and many of the governor's individually. And. Very importantly, the religious, leaders we had a great conversation. Yesterday. The vice president, and myself with the religious, leaders of of. Our country many of the religious, leaders and we've, had a number of them during the course of the last two weeks actually but yesterday. We had a very. Very. Significant. Call with the religious, leaders of our country, I signed. Legislation providing. American, workers with paid sick leave and, paid family, medical leave at. No cost to employers and free. Testing, for those who need it the testings. Going very well and the Admiral, will speak to that along with Tony. We're. Working. Quickly to pass additional legislation. That. Will provide massive relief to small businesses, and affected. Industries and give direct payments, to our great. Workers, and. Hard-working. American, families has, never been, anything like we're doing on the hill, right now they're negotiating. Mitch. McConnell, Chuck Schumer. The. Roll up there Kevin, McCarthy, and. Nancy. Pelosi. They're. All negotiating. And everybody's, working hard and they want to get to a a. Solution. That's the right solution I think we're getting very close. We've. Also announced that we've moved tax day from April 15th, to July 15th, which, is a big deal giving. Businesses and individuals, extra time to file and pay without interest, or penalties so we. Move the date way. Back and so. It'll be July 15th, instead of your traditional. April, 15th, and very importantly. You. Will have a lot. Of time but you're not going to have interest. Penalties or, any, kind of penalties by filing at that later date HUD announced, that. Foreclosures. And evictions, are suspended. For single-family home owners with FHA, insured mortgages, for the next 60. Days and. Our. Great head of HUD who's, with us today Ben Carson's, going to say a few words in a moment the, Department, of Education, will not enforce, standardized.
Testing, Which is another big deal requirements. For students in elementary through. High school for the current school year not, fair to do that so. We we, are waiving that I'm. I, would imagine it's probably the first time ever that's been waived but I think it's only fair to the students and to the parents of the students. It. Is also waiving, interest, and. Other. Things, that we're discussing right now on. Federally. Held student, loans and directed, that borrowers be allowed to suspend, their student loan payments without penalty, for at least 60, days and, we'll, be talking about student, loans to. Help the students. They're. Under a great burden right now so we will be talking about that further but we're we're. Waving, during this 60-day period, various. Elements, and very, important, elements, on student, loans big. Subject, I signed, an executive order, invoking. The defense production. Act, as you all know giving us powerful new authorities, to help state cities and hospitals, for cure needed supplies. There's. Been a clear call to action. To. The private sector and the call is made right here it's been really pretty amazing what's happened with the private sector they are really. In sixth. Gear I think, which. Is responded. In full force helping, to produce and. Supply much needed masks, swabs. Sanitizers. Ventilators. And everything. Else is. Is. A move on that's incredible right now and. By way of example, Haines everybody, knows Haines, great, company, great consumer. Cotton. Products. Company. Is, retrofitting. Its manufacturing. Capabilities. In large sections of their plants to. Produce masks. And. They're in that process right now. Then. In my direction the FDA has taken rapid steps to make these items, available. For medical use right now I, mean. Most, excitingly. To me is what. The FDA has done in order to get. Possibly. A very successful. Number. It's not just one. Or two number, of. Therapeutics. Medicines. That can help help. People that. Are already sick, help. People not get sick then. Obviously you know about the vaccine, and Tony will discuss. That a little bit later but the vaccine is moving along but. This is something that right now for right now if this is what we really it's incredible, and what the FDA, has done and. Dr.. Steven Hahn was highly respected came. As a just, a highly respected, man he's been fantastic, he's. Only been here for a couple of months and he's he's, gotten, thrown into the swim of it and he's really, standing up but the FDA has really, moved mountains I said it this morning they moved mountains to get, approvals, on things that. That. May be work we'll find out very soon and we'll take along an example. Of the, pair. No. Ricard, which. Is this. Is really an example where, we're. Repurposing, alcohol, they. Went out and repurposed, their alcohol, production, capabilities. In Arkansas, Kentucky. Texas. And West Virginia to. Make hand sanitizer. That's. A big difference and they've. Been unbelievable. They really pernod. Ricard. Their. First delivery will be on Tuesday, it's. Going to go to various states.
They're Gonna start, I think in New York and they're gonna work their way around they're making a. Tremendous. Amount of hand sanitizer at, a very high level too by the way, we've. Activated, the National Response, Coordination, Center. To level one that's your highest level. There's. The nerve center of all of our government, response, to crisis, and it's coordinating, very closely with, our nation's. Governor's, our nation's governor's many of you were at the call yesterday with the governors and, I. Think. You can see the relationship. And we've. Had numerous calls with governor's by the way but the relationships. Are. Pretty. Amazing they, they're like they're loving what we're doing and the, the coordination. Between the federal government and the governors states and even local has. Been pretty, incredible FEMA. Administrator Pete. Gaynor who is with us will soon be providing, you with an update on the center's. Operations. And, FEMA's. Been incredible. We, got them involved last week for a much involved, another involved. Nationwide, we've. Dramatically, expanded, telehealth, so Americans, can see a doctor, without leaving home. Something. Which more and more people are using and now they're really using it and now the ones that are using it are loving, it and I. Think we're gonna change the way our country. Functions, medically, and probably, in other ways because of what's. Going on right now this. Will reduce the chance of infection and preserve hospital, capacity. So it sells a lot of problems. Every. American is a role to play in defending our nation, from. This invisible. Horrible. Enemy. It. Really is it's an invisible, enemy, and. We will be successful, very, successful hopefully. Very much sooner than people would even think so. We say stay at home and save lives there's. A time of shared, national sacrifice. But it's also a time to treasure our loved ones and to, take stock of what is most important, our faith our families our. Neighbors in. Our, great country and I want to thank all of, the.
Incredible. People of our country this distance of our country, that, what. You've done and the way you're. Responding. Has just been. Very. Special. Something. That we. Will never forget that the. History books will never forget, then. We're gonna have a great victory we're gonna be celebrating, a great victory in the not-too-distant future, and. I just want to thank everybody and now uh I'll introduce. Our. Vice, president Mike Pence's led the task force and, I, will tell you this he has not slept. Much, maybe a tiny bit maybe a little bit but not much and. He's. Done an incredible job Mike thank you please. Good. Afternoon all, and. Thank You mr. president. The. White House coronavirus, task force met today we briefed the President on our latest. Recommendations. We. Continue, at. The president's, direction. And, to lead not, a whole-of-government approach, but. A whole of America approach, you just heard the president, describe one inspiring story, after. Another at. The way the American people are responding the way American businesses, are responding. Religious. Communities, across this country the. American people, are coming together they're. Responding with common sense compassion. And generosity. People, are heeding the advice of, state, and local authorities and. Tens. Of millions of Americans. Are putting into practice 15. Days to slow the spread. We. Are we. Are officially, mr.. President it's six days into. Our 15 days and as we look all across this country. While. We we strongly, support, the, decisions, that governors in states where, we have significant, outbreak have, taken we. Encourage, every, American to listen to those state and local authorities for every. American, this is what you can do to. Make a difference. Over. The, next week and a. Few days to. Protect. Your health protect, your families, but most especially, slow. The spread and the. Potential, for the coronavirus, to impact the. Most vulnerable, as. The president, said we we've, been we've. Almost been overwhelmed, at. The outpouring, of support. From. American, businesses, the president, spoke, yesterday to thousands. Of small businesses we spoke to, manufacturers. Yesterday, and, in fact as, the president, indicated the FDA in. In, record. Time just. Approved one manufacturer, that will be producing millions of surgical masks, in. A matter of weeks. For the American people the, pastors we spoke to we we want to thank all the religious leaders from every community of faith in the country making, a hard choice to suspend, services. To have online services. Even. While those ministries, are continuing, to support food, banks, and come. Alongside of, the most vulnerable and of course the chorus of prayers that is coming up from communities, of faith around.
The Country is making the difference that it always has in, the life of this. Nation, one. Thing the president and I promised was to remind people that on the the. Weekends, that you're not in the pews it's still the good, it's. Still a good idea to if, you can to go ahead and make that donation, continue. Because all the ministries are continuing, to play a vital role in our communities, and we encourage your continued, support. The. President, and I are grateful that the American people are listening to state and local authorities, and and putting into practice all. Of all. Of the, recommendations. In the president's, coronavirus. Guidelines. And. As. You will hear in just a few moments from Admiral Gua. Testing. Is expanding, rapidly across, the United States of America, state-run, drive-throughs, are expanding, across. The country and, as you will hear detailed this morning now more than a hundred and ninety five thousand. Americans. And more. Who. Have been symptomatic have, been tested, that, number, does not include County. Hospitals, or. Or. Healthcare. Labs around the nation some, 15,000. In number and among. The number of the more, than a hundred and ninety-five thousand, that have been tested, it's, important, to remember that only nineteen, thousand, three hundred and forty three at this moment have. Tested positive for the corona virus. We, want to we continue, to urge state. And, local health authorities, to contact FEMA for all the latest developments, and innovations. In. Testing, but, we want to remind Americans, as dr. Fauci will emphasize in a moment. If. You don't have symptoms don't do a test, it. Is another way that the. American people can make sure that we are preserving the resources, that our health care workers need, to minister. And to support, those who are dealing with the corona virus and other, illnesses in, a moment. Pete, Gaynor will detail, the efforts at FEMA since the president's, national emergency. Declaration. We have FEMA in the lead stood.
Up The National Response Coordination Center. As the president, said and we are working closely literally, hour by hour through, FEMA, processing. Requests, from, states, most impacted, like New York Washington State and California. And. Will continue and to work very very closely with those states through. The very traditional, means of, federal, emergency management at. FEMA secretary. Carson will describe decisive. Actions the president alluded to to bring foreclosure. Relief to, Americans, and on the subject of supplies. In. A moment you. Will hear of not. Only the progress that we're making on testing, but on Monday, we'll be detailing, for the American people the progress, that we are making on the, president's, strategy of procuring. More, personal. Protective, equipment and medical supplies. Allocating. Them through the system of FEMA and continuing. To urge the conservation. By. Americans, in fact I'm pleased, to report, to. The president, today that HHS, just placed an order. For hundreds, of millions of. N95. Masks, that will be being made available to. Healthcare providers across the country on. Behalf of the president we do renew our call for Americans, to postpone, elect, medical, procedures, including. Dental services, and remember this is another way that you're. Going to make sure that medical, supplies are available because, by. Postponing elective. Medical procedures, you're freeing up medical, supplies for. Those dealing with the coronavirus. As. The president mentioned our team is on Capitol Hill as we speak working with members of Congress in both political, parties they're, making, progress. By all accounts on, a bipartisan. Bill they. Worked late into the night last night started. Early this morning, and we are working to pass that legislation on. Monday. In both the House and the Senate. Now, on a personal note many of you may have been made aware that a member of my staff has tested, positive for the corona virus, we. Learned of that late yesterday I am. Pleased to report that he's, doing well he, had mild cold, like symptoms for.
About, A day and a half has. Not been to, the White House since Monday, neither. The president nor I had, direct contact with, that. Staff person, we, worked immediately, with a White House physician and the CDC, we've done all contact. Tracing and. While the White House doctor has indicated that he. Has no reason to believe that I was exposed and no, need to be tested. Given. The unique position that I have as vice president and as the leader of the White House coronavirus, task force both, I and my wife will be tested for the corona virus later, this afternoon. Let. Me say again how grateful the President and I are that. Every, American, has, acted, on the president's, coronavirus, guidelines, we, are six days into 15 days, that. As dr. Fauci may well reflect in a moment is, an opportunity, for us, here. On the foot holes of, this epidemic. Curve in our country to literally lower the impact in our, nation and save, lives every. American can do their part to slow the spread and we encourage you to continue. To, do that as, the president says often remember we're all in this together, and. Also remember, that that. For for, most Americans, their risk, of serious, illness from the Rhona virus, remains. Low the. Reason we want to put into practice the president's, coronavirus, guidelines, is because no america would, want to inadvertently expose. Someone. Who is vulnerable a senior, with a serious, underlying health condition, to. The corona virus, with the potential, threat I did, hear one story this morning mr. president about a senior, named. Jennifer. Wood she. Actually is at the life care center in Kirkland Washington, she. Is not only a grandmother, she is a great-great, grandmother. 90. Years young and, she. Tested, positive for the corona virus on March 6 but. By all accounts she's, doing well and. She wanted America to know there is hope and her. Strength in her enthusiasm, it's. Truly an inspiration, to the nation as, the president said many times we're gonna get through this and come out stronger, than ever before and. We'll get through this as Americans, together, Thank. You mr. president very much thank, you. Thank. You mr. president mr., vice president as. I told you earlier last, week we are in the process and, are effectively, transitioning. To, large-scale. Testing, by, leveraging all, the components, of the American health healthcare system, when, we started it with CDC, only then, it was the state public health laboratories, now, we're transitioning, into the mainstream of American, testing, with, many of the companies that the president, invited, in, the Rose Garden just, a week ago so currently. 91. Public health laboratories, state. Public health laboratories, are up, and running in 50. States the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, this. Is our curve and I want to be very clear about this that, this only accounts.
For CDC. State public health laboratories. And the. Laboratories. That are members of the American. Clinical, Laboratory Association. These, are, the main reference laboratories. LabCorp, Quest Mayo, Europe. Bio reference labs ensoniq health care it, does not account for the well over 10,000. 15,000. Hospital, based labs many, of which. Are doing, testing, for, whom we will get data this week to give you an overall roll off as, you can see over a hundred ninety five thousand. People, in America, have completed, their testing, that means tests. Plus results, this does not count the people whose tests are in process and as, you see this curve is going it. Will, continue, to rise dramatically. Over, the next period of time so. Again, this. Is utilizing, all the components, of the great American healthcare system the, state and local public health laboratories. The. Hospital. System which is not represented. Here in the, main reference laboratories. Now. I do want to make it clear that although, testing. Is becoming, more available and doctor foul Qi will, definitely. Emphasize. This, more there are priorities. For testing, and clearly. Everyone, across the country should understand, that those hospitalized. Are in an ICU or a priority, for testing, symptomatic. Healthcare workers for obvious reasons, we want to make sure that, they their, health is preserved and that they are not going to spread to those who may be seriously, ill, symptomatic. People, in long-term care facilities as, the, Vice President is highlighted, and we've said many times, elderly. In our society, have a much higher mortality, rate, much, higher serious. Complication. Rate, symptomatic. Individuals over 65. Symptomatic. Individuals who have underlying conditions like. Chronic heart, disease or liver disease or other types of chronic diseases patients. And public health investigations. And there, are local priorities around, the country particularly, health, care workers for testing and doctor, foul she's gonna emphasize this, about the types of people who may not be to be tested, testing. Is going well it's ramping up but we should still have priorities, finally. I want to talk about the community-based testing, sites I know, they're popular now because you know there's now an acronym, which I'm sure the vice-president, doesn't appreciate, CBTs. Or, CBT sites, we. Talked about these earlier in the week and I, wanted. To emphasize again that these are state, managed, and locally, executed, the, federal government, is there to provide, port. Know-how. Blueprint. Blueprints. On how to do this but these are really springing. Up at dozens, and dozens of, sites all over the country adapt, it to the local needs some are drive through the summer walk up some, are geared to health care workers and emergency responders. So, again what we see in, the upcoming week is this, curve will continue to increase as testing becomes more, widely available as, the, great American healthcare industry, continues. To increase, the availability of tests and the throughput of those tests. Thank. You very much mr. president mr. vice president what I want to do just over the next minute or so is maybe connect, some of the dots of, the things that you've heard today first, the status of. The dynamics, of the of the outbreak, I mean, you all know the numbers you've seen them we. Have widespread, infection. But to varying degrees throughout. The country so for, example when you talk about the kinds of mitigation. Issues that. We have put forth and have emphasized, just. As I mentioned the other day there are two dynamic forces, that are going on at the same time you're. Having the natural, course of an outbreak trying. To peak at, a high level and then you have the mitigation, strategies, which are aimed at dampening, that we've, mentioned that multiple, times we. Often get asked how do you know you're having an effect because, there are two things that are going on at the same time they.
May Be confounding. Well, I can tell you for sure from a public health standpoint and experience, with other outbreaks we, know we are clearly having an effect but, we can't quantitate. It for you accurately. Now, because. Looking forward, you'll, know what the impact, of the rate of this steep inclines. Will be so, that's why we're gonna come back to you every day and keep you up-to-date about, that, getting. With regard to the disproportionate. Of the response, everyone. Is right here I'll get to open, up the vice president's, book what is permission, this. Is, baseline. For. Everyone, in, other words throughout the country but. Then there will be areas and you've heard them, Washington. State California. New, York City in which, the the, the dynamic, of the outbreak are clearly different and much, more robust, if you want to use that word and that's, the reason why we've seen the mitigation. Ratcheted. Up in that regard and again hopefully, and I have confidence, it will happen you, will see an impact, on that next. Getting, to testing, you saw the, numbers, with testing, remember. There was always an issue with. Testing, I think we're getting to the solution, that everybody in the country is looking for but. I want to emphasize one, thing that. Admiral, Jawa mentioned, is that not every single person in the United States needs to get tested, he, gave you the priorities, I don't want to repeat them but, let me tell you one of the unintended. Consequences. Of individuals. Who don't need to get tested, that flood the desire to get tested, currently. And I hope you'll be able to change it and make, it much, less reliable on PPEs, when, you go in and get tested you are consuming, personal. Protective, equipment masks. And gowns those. Are high, priority. For the healthcare workers, who were taking pair of people who, have cooked. A corona virus disease so, what we don't want to do is, to, have a situation where, we, will we do have, disparities. And availability of PPE s now and we're working hard to correct that but. Currently, today, we. Want to make sure that the people who are taking care of people. With coronavirus. Disease do. Not endanger themselves, because, they don't have the personal protective. Equipment and then, finally one last thing was, just mentioned, the Surgeon General has been pushing this please. Put. Off, canceled. Elective. Medical, and surgical procedures.
You. Don't want to not ever do them but for the time being don't. Do them because they also not, only consume, personal. Protective equipment they. May also consume, some of the things like ventilate, is that you might need so. Let's pull in this together and we, will get through it I promise you thank you. Thank. You mr. president mr. vice president FEMA, is now leading the federal operation, all. The federal response for, all operations on behalf of the White House corner virus task force who. Always sees this whole, of nation response. HHS. Will continue to provide their expert. Matter. Expertise, on health and. Pursuant to the nationwide emergency, declaration. FEMA in coordination with HHS, is assisting, state local, tribal territorial, governments. And their other eligible, entities, with health and safety emergency protective, measures on behalf, of the American public as, of yesterday, 50. States the District of Columbia five territories, and one tribe are working directly with FEMA under, the nationwide, emergency. Declaration, for kovin 19 in, just 24, hours we've obligated 100, million dollars through States territories. And tribes a little, bit about supplies. It. Is of the utmost importance. That requests for assistance especially, for critical, supplies get, routed through proper channels as soon as possible, and we asked everyone to follow the normal procedures, the normal procedures FEMA, uses in a natural disaster there, is no different, procedure, for the Cova 19. And. Emic but. Remember you can still order supplies, from your regular vendors, and, buy, it on the open market, buy it where you can find it we will reimburse you if. You buy medical supplies from foreign sources it is reimbursable. By, America, does not apply to, the Stafford Act except, for Washington, DC and Puerto Rico if. You can't buy it on the open market make, a request through, the FEMA system, request. For assistance at the local. And county level should first go to States from, States to. The regional FEMA, offices and then from those offices right here in, DC where the National. Response Coordination Center, is open, and running we. Are getting requests for mass PPE. Swab, sets test. Site supports, ventilators, hospital, capacity, assessments, and many more we. Are in lockstep with HHS, to answer these requests, but. What we will do whatever is. Necessary. To. Get States. Tribes territories, and, others they what they need and, then finally what we are doing here in Washington DC again. This is a whole-of-government response. Like. All emergencies response is most successful when. It is locally, executed, state managed and fairly, supported we can't say that enough on, Thursday. A federal partners fully integrated, with, our National, Coordination. Response. Coordination Center and additionally. All 10 FEMA regions across the country have, been activated, the, FEMA regional. Administrators, will continue to coordinate closely with governor's state, of Mercy managers. State. Public health officials to determine the type and level of support needed to, respond to this dynamic, threat. Thank. You mr. president and mr., vice president for your tireless leadership, here, and, I also want, to thank. The fellow, Task Force members, who. Have been working around the clock on, a very patriotic, way to serve their fellow Americans. You. Know part. Of the American, Dream is having a home and sometimes. People say well what is housing help do it health it has everything to do with help. Having a safe home and, that. Is the reason that the president has. Authorized. The. Immediate, cessation. Of. Foreclosure. And eviction proceedings. For. American. Citizens, single, family for work mortgages, as well, as reverse, mortgages, and as. You know. FHFA. Has, also decided, to do the same thing for 60 days and, the. CFPB is, very happy with all this as well, and. It's really all about helping. Our, people. Recognizing. That they're being severely, impacted. By. The krona by, virus. And we've. Also asked, the various services, of mortgage. Loans, to. Exercise. Forbearance. For anybody, who's having difficulty, it is important, if, you're having difficulty. To, actually contact, the, people who have made the law who. Established. The mortgage because it doesn't happen automatically. What, does happen automatically, is that. We. Cover. All eight point five million people in terms. Of the. Moratorium. On, foreclosures. And. Evictions. We, want also. For. The PHAs, to be protected. HUD. Does not have authority to. Mandate that, evictions. Can occur but, we are in contact with all the PHAs, across, the country and are petitioning, Congress, for the power to be able to actually enforce. That but the, fact of the matter is most of the PHAs, are run, by people who. Actually care, about other people, so we really, haven't seen much of a problem there we haven't seen much of a problem with forbearance.
And. Needing, to try. To force people to do it because they want to do it people are stepping up and saying what can we do to be helpful, as. Far as Housing. Choice Voucher. Section eight is concerned, that. April, vouchers. Will be sent out next week and, may, bouncers. Are already being worked on and. We're. Also staying in contact with all the stakeholders. The. Advocates, for, low-income. Housing. As well as other stakeholders to make sure, that. We're doing things. That are most helpful to them and. Additionally. We've, extended the deadlines, for healthcare, and multi-family. Financial. Reporting. Requirements. And that's for over, 20,000. Multifamily, and health. Care borrowers, until. April, the 30th, and. That provides them with a lot more flexibility, to deal with the issues that they're dealing with I also. Want to thank our FHA, commissioner Brian Montgomery, as well as the FHFA. Director. Mark Calabria, and, Kathy. Cran enjoyed the director, of the CFPB, who've. All worked tirelessly. With. Us to make this happen what, we're trying to do is bridge the gap. Recognizing. That it's, a lot easier for. Us to take these measures. And for, Congress to take the measures that they're taking, so that we, destroy, a very. Excellent, system and, have, to start all over again so, for those who are worried. About the money that's being spent. If, you, don't spend the money and deal with this now it's kind of cost a whole lot more to, try to build all this up again and as. Was mentioned by. The president. There's. Been a sense of unity that we haven't seen for a long time, in this, country and, let's. Hope and pray that that, unity, last, far beyond, this crisis. Then. Thank you very much. If. You've lost your job now or you're, worried that you're gonna lose your job tomorrow, of restaurant something like that what, do you want people to do immediately, the second point is deserve you. We've heard from the vice president that he's going to be tested are you and he taking a test this last Saturday. Okay. Those, people lost, their job already or they're worried, that they're about to lose it tomorrow that's what do you want them to do right now well what they do right now is keep receiving, their paycheck, and hopefully, their companies, are gonna be in a very strong position we, want to keep everything together because. We think we're gonna have a tremendous bounce-back. Now some people agree, with that very strongly, some, of our top economists, say think we're gonna have a very once we solve the problem of that, we're working on the medical problem, so. We want them to keep their jobs stay where you are and we'll see what happens now if they don't we have unemployment, we have checks we have a lot of things happening, a lot of very positive things nobody, has ever done know this is working with Democrats as Republicans, and Democrats, and myself, working. Together nobody's. Ever done a package, like this it's a great package but. Ideally, we want them to be able to keep their jobs keep the pay coming and I think that's gonna happen Kelly go ahead mr. president on your defense, production Act power one.
Of The features of that is that the federal government would be able to control, the output whether, it's masks, or ventilators, that get, it to the most areas. Of need and control. The pricing, to, keep it at a market level so it's not price gouging, one of the things we're hearing from governors they can't find supplies, and prices. Have gone up so you've talked about the actor but you have not yet compelled, any companies, why not because. We have so many companies, making so many products, every product that you mentioned, Plus ventilators, and everything, else we have car, companies, without having, to use the act if I don't have to use specifically. We have the act to use in case we need it but, we have so many things being made right now by so many they've just stepped up in, fact Mike Pence and I were discussing it before we've never seen anything like it where they, are volunteering. We want to make masks for Mike, Haynes I've brought that up as an example General. Motors I bring that up is another Ford. It's so right they're, going they're going to go in the open market we want them on the open, market from the, standpoint of pricing, because otherwise you it's, gonna be we could be very unfair, aggressive to the places in greatest need we. Are directing, States and sometimes, we'll be competing, against States which I don't want and we'll drop out of the bidding we. Want the states to go first and you know what we're doing is we're helping. States that's what we want to do same, thing with the testing, we're, helping States, we're helping States get to where they want and we've, made tremendous progress in every aspect, of what happens. Today. Well it's happening fast right now and the governors are out there trying to get and if they are competing with us we immediately drop out please president, I forgive. Me if I heard you wrong. He said something we are going to be going over to the hill are, you going yourself my, people are and I'll be staying here I'll be in the Oval Office and various other places in the White House that matter you're. Asking, Congress. To essentially, pass a series, of, legislation. That's going to amount to about two trillion dollars ten percent of the GDP what, do you say to members in both parties who say this, is too expensive this is just too much to debate and get done in, 48, hours or so and also have you spoken, directly with, Speaker, Pelosi at all okay.
So I've. Spoken with I'm, not gonna say who I speak with but I've spoken with directly. Or indirectly everybody. Many many times, we're. Doing very well I think, the Democrats, and the Republicans are. Gonna come up with a package that's going to be. Really. Something very special it's going to help people this. Is the first time there's ever been a case where you want people not to work it's always you, know you want to create an incentive to work we're. Creating, not an incentive, not to work but the fact is we're asking people not to work because. Of we. Have to stay away from each other if we're gonna kill this horrible. Hidden enemy we have to stay away so. There's never been a thing like this in the history of the world and the other, nations are doing similar. Things some effectively, some not effectively, they're doing similar things, we. Are creating, a package that's going to keep companies, together keep, workers paid so, they can live. And sustain we'll, see what the timing is the biggest thing we can do is get rid of the problem, the problem is exactly. What we know the medical problem, we, want to have this whole, incredible. Situation that. It can start right away not that all these companies break up all the workers are out of jobs you can't put them back together and it would take years to put them back together because. We had the greatest economy, in the history of the world until we got hit by this problem. And, we. Can be back very very quickly and it's in our intention, to be back very very quickly so, we're doing a package, the likes of which nobody's ever done before I'm. Obviously. The one that has to approve the different things and the recommendations. Of the different things and like, by vechs as an example and stock buybacks, I didn't, like it the first time at this time I'm saying, you're not doing it I don't want money. To be used for that I want, money to be used for workers and for opening businesses keeping. Businesses oh not, buybacks and well. I would, I am strongly, recommending. A buyback, exclusion. You cannot buy back your stock you can't take a billion, dollars of the money and just buy back your stock and increase the value please, on. The subject of mass the vice president, announced HHS, was ordering, a hundreds, of millions of them was, that ordered Jeff place today how, is that going to be distributed, in one conductors, the nurses expect, to actually receive those mats yeah, HHS. Is completing, a. Half. A billion dollar or of n95. Masks, and and. All. Of this is being coordinated through, FEMA. And. And. We're we are responding. Specifically. To. State and, requests, where, the needs arrive as dr. Fauci said we. Want to make sure the people that are providing. Health care services, to people who, may have contracted, coronavirus. Have the protection, to keep themselves and their families healthy, but. I want to emphasize the. The, supply, of so-called. N95. Masks, has. Been vastly, increased. In the country because. The president, insisted, that, we extend liability. Protection, to. Industrial. Masks. What. All the experts told us early on was that industrial, masks that are used on construction, sites the president's very familiar with from his past, life, are. Perfectly, appropriate to, protect healthcare workers, from respiratory, illness. But. They, didn't have the liability protection, because.
They Weren't created, for hospitals, we, worked in with leaders, in both parties we added, that protection, that runs through 2024. That. Now the industrial. End ninety-five mass, can. Be purchased, by hospitals, purchased, by states purchased, by HHS and, distributed. Through our systems so we're, making those available. The. Supply has been as I said vastly, increased, and it's it was another. Step. Forward in a bipartisan, accomplishment, and. We're continuing, to use all the kind of creative, means of American, industry to. Make sure that we're leaning into this effort and that that, we. Do whatever it, takes to make sure that our healthcare providers have. The protective, equipment they'll hear from doctors and nurses about the shortage when exactly can they expect, to receive these masks, though well. Let me let let, me let Pete, Gaynor speak to that because FEMA will be, HHS. Is now fully integrated into, FEMA and so, as the requests come in but obviously as I'm, sure the administrator, will say they're, being prioritized. To those areas with the highest need. Us. So within the National, Coordination Center we have a supply. Chain task force in. A basic sense we're trying to identify, the. Universe, of what's out there so whether, we hold it at, the federal level we, hold it in the private, sector and then match that up with demand and asking, people to be creative we're, asking again this is a shared responsibility we're. Asking locals and states to, do your share locally try to take a little bit burden off of us, and then we'll prioritize, those. Scarce, resources, because every single governor across, the country is looking for the exact same thing so there's, a balance but, we're examining the entire, supply chain to, make sure that we, make masks start, coming in they're. There they're out there now so again we want to match we want to get out of the middle I think. So we're trying to match suppliers with the man so that's what we're doing right now, it's happening today it's, they can they can expect them to they're the matching supply in Amman it is a there's a range of requests. Across the country and we're trying to match those again. Supply and demand everyday. What. I've already come in I have to tell you the they. Throwing away of the mask being. In private, business, they're. Throwing away the mask right away they're thrown away and when you hear 55 million, masks, world I'm saying 55, million how could it possibly be, such, a number and they say oh that's just a small fraction, of what we need and, I said why are we sanitizing.
Masks You know you look at the mess I've looked at all the different masks, some. Don't lead themselves to. Doing that I think but many do and I said why aren't we have very good. Liquids. For doing this sanitizing. The masks and that's something they're they're, starting to do more and more the sanitizing, the masks, and I don't, know if anybody would like to speak to that. CDC. Guidance is about how you can, minimize, the use of masks. By, different things that you could do with testing and when you have masks how, you might reuse them which ones you can be used them do you think there's a solution to this other than buying more mass you have to everybody need to change how they're using them yeah, well there are a couple of things one for. Example we, are moving towards, getting, testing, where. You don't have to have PPE, I mean I don't want it I'm not gonna tell you the day he is gonna be there but, it's gonna be a swab that you could stick in the nose of the person, who, is either infected, or not but that person doesn't need PPE, the person who's administering the test so, if you could do a self administer, tests stick, it in a vial hand, it over you don't need a mask you don't need PPE that's, one of the things we're trying to do I would have liked that much better. May. I and one, other this is another story about a great American, industry we, the. President and I literally heard directly from Apple, that they're. Donating, two million, industrial. Masks. To. This effort around the country and, working with our administration, to distribute, those and it. Might be a good opportunity for us to renew our call. For. As, the president and I delivered this message to businesses. Yesterday, manufacturers. And small businesses, it's. A great time to go to your storeroom and. If. You have in 95, masks, if you've got a hundred of them if you've got 10,000 of them is.
To Load. Them up drive. Them over to your local hospital that, story is literally happening all over the country, and. Now with more Americans, stepping. Away from elective, surgery including elective dental care. Verging, Denys around, America, to look at their supplies, of, n95. Mess and make, those available to our hospitals, and. But the great, news is is the president said the American people are all doing this now so. Allow. Me to say on behalf of the president, thank. You for you all are doing today but we want to encourage people in business, encourage, people, in. Dentistry, in particular, look at those supplies of n95, max pack. Up as many as you can spare drop, them off at your local hospital be, a great service to the country. I. Just. Want to read you some of what some of the doctors on, the frontlines of this crisis are saying that doctors, are. Saying good things or bad these, are doctors who are talking about the shortage of medical supplies that they are facing dr., Faisel bucks in Kentucky says there's absolutely, no way to, protect myself a, surgeon. In Fresno, California says we are at war. A mo dr.. Mel in Illinois says if this is a wartime situation then now is the time to act I, know you're talking now about, increasing. Production at so many of these facilities to get the masks out but, given that this is one of the wealthiest most powerful, countries in the world should this even be happening, shouldn't this have been resolved, well I'll, tell you the way I look at it so, many. Administrations. Preceded, me, for. The most part they did very little in. Terms of what you're talking about this is unprecedented you could speak to Tony you can speak to anybody this is unprecedented. Or, just about unprecedented. As time goes by we're saying it's really, at a level that nobody. Would have believed nobody would have thought possible that. This could happen and. We. Are making much of this stuff now and, much of it's being delivered now we've. Also gotten tremendous reviews, from a lot of people they can't believe, how fast it's coming when when, I hear they have an order of 55, million masks, and that's just one order that's, one order out of many and that there, are many millions of masks beyond. That that and I keep saying how. Is it possible, to use so much but that's the way it is and part, of that is because they they'll, use a mask for a short period of time and they. Throw. It the. Fact is that we, are doing. A tremendous amount we, started with very few masks, we had some, but nothing for an, event like this and now, we're making tens of millions of masks and other things and. I think it's unprecedented what, we've done and what we're doing and many. Doctors that I've read many many doctors, they can't believe the great job that we've done yes, Kelly. Did you have has been more than this purely for questions, for administration learn about. This. This virus well if you remember I was knowing that I was the one that closed the country down I was the one that closed the you know right that or you don't say it too much certainly on CNN, but, I. Just. Read an article yesterday I, just read an article yesterday that, by closing the country down so early so very early we. Saved tens. Of thousands, and much more than that lives so. You. Know you might want to report that what. I just like, to address that for a moment again. I'm an ICU physician. Ran, health systems and I first, of all want. To thank everyone who's on the frontline in the emergency, room and the ICS and the hospitals, I, speak, to my colleagues, daily. We. Need to preserve our PPE to the degree that we can CDC, guidelines has, had that the, president, has talked about it but. I also want to say we are making product. As the president, said but, we are also responding. Through, the FEMA system to, distribute the strategic, national stockpile, resources. According. To requests, that come in stockpile. Has been, distributed, to many, states, first. Order second orders and on a daily basis adjudicating. That if, there are shortages in your hospital, system, I can't. Tell you of dr. XYZ.
That. Needs to be clearly, iterated. To, the local emergency management. Segoe. With, over two thousand, hospitals. Or hospital, systems sharing, best practices. From. Seattle, where they've been very innovative pioneering, some, of these areas. When. There is a shortage they need to go through their emergency, management, it goes directly up to the FEMA system, which really, rocks, it really works very very well and then there's a distribution, of the stockpile now, the stockpile, is an infinite that's why it's being replaced by all the orders but met, masks. Supplies go out on a daily basis, as they, are needed and requested, through the FEMA system, and I don't know administrator, gain or whether you want. Just. To reiterate what, would Whitbread, said, we. Don't take lightly, what, you just read you know I mean I get the calls every, night the way you get emails. It's, a serious issue we don't want that to happen but. It is happening you're not making things up I I know that because I'm experiencing, myself but. What you just heard about the different avenues some, of which aren't even recognized, about, how you can get help through the FEMA process, in addition, to. The large amounts, of additional, PPE, that's coming into the system we, hope that very, very, very soon we're, not going to get those kinds of real-life. Difficulties. There's. A question about the timeline, here and even FEMA can't quite answer. Yeah. Sooner, than weeks it's it's it's gonna be days I would. Hope you know I. We're. Gonna try to make it days to the best possible way we can. We're. Doing is we're trying to help the states get things faster, and that's, what we're doing we're implementing, and. The. Magnitude, of this, it's a tragedy, it's an absolute tragedy but the magnitude, is something that no. Matter who you were no matter where. You come from nobody ever thought a thing like this could happen you. Read about, 1917. And you read about certain, things but do you think in a modern age a thing like that could never happen well. It. Comes back it is genius it, comes back and it's too bad but. I think the, people working, on this have been incredible, at the job they've done it's really been incredible but, there's tremendous amounts of not only masks, of. Ventilators. And respirators. And everything, you can think of it's all being, much. Of it and almost I could say all of it is made manufactured. Right now Steve, place there. Were questions about you, this malaria, droid have those questions in Alphen Rizal well, I don't know that resolved. I could say that it's, going to be distributed. I know, New York is getting I think 10,000, units and, numerous. Other people it's really it. Could be the malaria drug plus, the Z Peck but. And. We're gonna find out we're, gonna find out I I feel, look. I feel as. The expression, goes what. Do we have to lose because. You, know, I feel very I, feel very good about it, Tony. Would feel you. Know like he'd, like samples, done in a certain way and I understand, that to what many doctors agree with that we'd. Have much time, you know we have a lot of very sick people right down in hospitals, all over the place and speaking with the governor New York Cuomo, I said. How's. It look he's got a lot of sick people so. We're. Going to be. Delivering. And a lot of samples to New, York and other places and we're gonna find out very shortly whether, or not it's. Gonna work I feel very confident, I mean I've seen things that surprised. Me frankly there, are, as. Tony said there are other things we're looking at to vaccine. Of course is. Incredible. But this is more immediate right. Now this to me would be. The. Greatest thing that could happen this would be a gift from heaven this would be a gift from God if it works so, we're going to pray to God that it does work it would be a fantastic thing. During, your businesses, especially your hotels my businesses, yeah is, that true and Keith would you say is thriving when you decide. To close down your hotels, and your businesses, no I would say but. You know I'm very under levered and everything so that's good but is it hurting my yeah it's hurting me and it's hurting Hilton.
And It's hurting all. Of the great hotel chains all over the world it's hurting everybody I mean they're very few business that are doing well now there are some that are like. As an example the Walmarts, of the world because, everybody's, lined up to get things and stock up their house and this and that but. Sure. It hurts my business but did, you or anyone in your administration, talk to anyone at the Trump Organization about. The potential, effects of the coronavirus, no. I didn't speak to anybody I speak to my sons but I talk about the Carnival us but not as not as it pertains to my business they basically follow. The rules when they say close them down in New York we close them down or wherever they may be have I actually have them all over the world. And. When they say close. Them down we close them down what Kelly. We'll. Have nothing planned at mar-a-lago but right. Now I think mar-a-lago I guess, I haven't even asked but I imagine that's closed down just like a lot of other businesses in Florida. Do. You expect, your family, companies to seek government assistance I don't. Know I mean I just don't know what the government assistance would be for what I have I have hotels. Everybody. Knew I had hotels when I got elected, they knew I was a successful, person, when I got elected so it's one of those things I. Guess. I get paid four hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year I give it up I. Put. It back into the nation, I usually, I have, to by the way you. Have to designate where, you want it so I oftentimes give it to opioid, you. Know research, and things but. But as far as the. The. Hotels, and everything I mean I have to do what everyone else is doing I I would probably. Decide. To close things up I think it's a good thing they show you don't want people getting together and, hotels. And clubs and everything you get together we want to beat this deal so I have, many, them hotels, clubs, things like that where people get together I would, think it would be a good practice to close. About. Temperature. Test as we know we all came into this room and Daniel. I do it I do it I have temperature, tests and I, I don't I didn't ask everybody here but I wouldn't be surprised if they had temperature, tests. Oh, I. Think they are pretty much the easiest thing is the temperature I think they are I don't know are, you learning a lot from, the temperature test Tony could you maybe discuss, that for a second I mean they have a place they're not infallible, I mean there's so many ways to get around that I mean I mean right, now every time I certainly here, we, get every, time I go into a different room I got my temperature taken but, we see that on the outside that some people like this. Very. Low. There. Is a role for it under certain circumstances. What I don't see is a massive, distribution of, thermometers, that are gonna actually have a major impact on, what. I showed what, we need to do right. I've. Seen things, when, Tony mentions, thermometers, and, they aim something, at your far head they stay this far away boom and they tell you what your temperatures, I said I've never seen that people I've. Learned a lot I've learned a lot it's incredible go ahead. Suggesting. That usually taking action on the virus in January and February doctor, foul cheese indicated, that your action, in the Chinese travel ban helped America immensely, what do you say to the Washington Post well. I love, whoever, you're with that's. Because I think that's such a nice, that's. Such a nice question. No, I think the Washington Post covers us very inaccurately, covers, me very inaccurately, I saw this story I think, it's a disgrace, but. It's, the Washington Post and I guess we have to live with it it's a very it's a very inaccurate, quiet, quiet it's. A very inaccurate story. From. Many, people I get a lot of credit for having closed our country very early, to a very heavily infected country, China. Unfortunately. China I wish. I wish China would have told us more about what was going on in China long, prior to us. Reading, about it even though the news isn't exactly, disseminated. As, you know China kicked the, Washington, Post out of China and they kicked the New York Times out of China and I guess the Wall Street Journal, that's okay I mean that's what they do and. I think it's a terrible thing they did but. I also think it's terrible when people write in accurately, about you and they write in accurately, about me every single day every single hour and by. The way your, group really, I really, think and I just say fair not good or bad I think you write very fairly and do very fair reports, about. The great job that all, of us are doing that, this group behind me is doing it's so insulting, when, they write phony stories, that they know are fake news because.
They're Not insulting, me they're insulting, everybody these incredible, people that have worked so hard so long, that. Are thinking about nothing other, than this, invisible. Enemy they have done such an incredible job and they will continue and we're, gonna win and there'll be a lot of celebration. When we went and we're, gonna win with, as few, lives, lost, as possible, that's the game win. With as few lives. Lost, as possible. It's, a tough enemy it's a tough killer, far. Bigger far more vicious than ever. Before, but I appreciate, you saying it because the fact that we closed so early to China and most people Hey. Look I was called, xenophobic. By. Sleepy, Joe Biden I was, called a, racist. By. Democrats, a racist I was a racist because I decided that I didn't want to have people that could hurt our country come in and, I was pretty much in a very small group of people I will tell you it was a tiny little group most people even, that worked in the White House disagreed, with me very strongly. Saving. Of those many weeks was a tremendous. Tremendous. Thing, and when they keep talking about acting, early that was the ultimate act that. Was the biggest act because. We didn't and then I'll also closed Europe early very. Early and. I took a lot of heat for that too but that was a good thing now they're doing similar things that way so, I didn't. Act late I acted, early, I acted, far before anybody, thought I should be I took tremendous criticism. From. The various, papers, from many of the papers so I very, much appreciate the question it might have been it might have been more of a statement than a question but whatever, it may have been I appreciate it very much. Kind. Of done these different measures we've seen California, order one in New York you know just be similar do, you want all the states to do one uniform, no no they they can do what they want to do if California. Can get a mask sooner than we can get it for them through. All of the things we're able to do but. We're going to end up with a big oversupply, at some point you know at some point this, is going away and.
We're Going to end up with a big oversupply, and you know what in this case that's going to be ok but if California, if Gavin can go out and order gowns faster. Or masks. Good masks, faster, or, other, things faster that's good we, do have a lot of I, mean. The coordination, with the ships that we're sending in as you know the the, medical ships that we're sending in and even cruise, liners we're going to be sending in probably, cruise liners into some areas in particular California. And in particular New. York but. If somebody can do something, faster, if they can order that mask faster. Than us I want. Them to be a better. So people can't leave their homes that you know certain businesses, recorded, a very much with them you don't want all those defeatist thing I just don't have to be at this moment because we have places in the country where you, know states where they have two people or three people and those people are in quarantine and you, can't put on them what. You're putting in New York well you do have a tremendous problem I mean we have large portions. Of the country middle, America where you. Know they have a few people so. It may be a time I hope that never happens where, we need to take very drastic, action but right now that's. Not in the same ballpark, yeah go ahead please we're day six in your 15 days of recommendations, a lot of people are following them some people are not do you think the American people are doing enough right now to slow I think and some people are not but I. Think they are I think it's going to have a, very, profound effect I mean we'll know, a little bit more on day 14, and 15 we'll see once we get what we're going to see we have to see what the result is we want to flatten, that out and we're going to see what the result is I. Just. Want to say I'm going to negotiate, a ve
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