Thread by @BBuchman_CNS

FYI:

https://twitter.com/BBuchman_CNS/status/1240244884415688704

Start time was pushed to noon ET.
Live stream available here:

Still waiting for it to get underway.

Trump comes out and starts off the briefing by again referring to coronavirus or COVID-19 as "the Chinese virus."

Trump also says he will invoke (after today's briefing) the Defense Production Act. This will expedite the supply chain for things like ventilators and other personal protective equipment

Trump says there are talks about developing a self-swab test for COVID-19. He first says it would be administered by a health official and then a moment later repeats that it would be a self swab and is different.
Says people would like self swab more

HUD will suspend all foreclosures and evictions until the end of April, Trump says, adding that he's working closely with HUD Secy Ben Carson

Vice President Mike Pence now speaking. He says WH is bringing 'full partnership' to every interaction with states. Yesterday, WH met with tourism industry and execs + execs in the medical supply chain. Conf. call scheduled for today w/state health officials

Pence says US is increasing number of tests "by the thousands every day." (For background: here in VA at least, testing capacity was 400 as of Tuesday, supposed to be 600 today thanks to a late night shipment of kits)

Pence says Health and Human Services Dept will issue a regulation today that will allow all doctors to practice across state lines to meet the needs of hospitals that may arise in adjoining areas.

The administration also repeats its call to doctors to delay elective procedures for patients to ensure that the medical supply chain isn't interrupted further

Seema Verma, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, calls on millennials to take #coronavirus seriously, take social distancing seriously.
"We cannot have these large gatherings of people who are off work and socializing in large groups...

This will contribute to the spread of the virus.
To millennials, she says, you have the potential to spread it to someone with underlying conditions that you or that person may not have even known about.

DoD Secy Mark Esper says the department will release from its strategic reserves 5 million N95 masks direct to Health and Human Services today. The first 1M masks will be available immediately and Esper says up to 2K operational ventilators will be made avail. for use as needed

Trump is asked directly why he keeps referring to it as the "Chinese virus" when even HHS Secy Alex Azar has said he does not use this term. Trump says "It's not racist at all. it comes from China. That's why. I want to be accurate."

On the size of checks to be sent to Americans, Trump won't say if its actually $1k or more than $1k. Trump says we're looking at different numbers, different time, potentially splitting the payment.
"Everybody seems to want to go big" he says

Does Trump consider America on a wartime footing in terms of fighting the virus?
Trump says he does and then bizarrely claims that people told him not to act at the start of the spread. Then he says, "it's a wartime president..." and rambles.

Why did it take so long for feds to invoke the defense production act to get the ventilators going?
"Well hospitals have ventilators too," Trump says and then claims "nobody knew" of the demand in testing/equipment that would be required.

There are 10k ventilators in stock, according to Pence and then he underlines this point from Esper:

https://twitter.com/BBuchman_CNS/status/1240313867378610177?s=20

But neither Trump nor Pence can confirm here and now the actual # of ventilators that will be put on order beyond what is in strategic stockpiles

Earlier tweet deleted to correct typo. Trump says on mutual border closure between US and Canada, it "wont affect trade at all" and then, just a minute later "it won't affect trade at this moment."

For some reason, a reporter has asked a question about approval ratings during a pandemic. If you want to watch Trump's response:

A reporter asks why is it that nonsymptomatic professional athletes can get tested but thousands of everyday Americans are standing in lines waiting for one.
Trump hedges for a moment, says 'you'd have to ask them" and then "perhaps that's the story of life"

Will he prohibit entries at the US border, when will it happen? Trump says yes.
A fuller strategy or plan could be out "probably today" he says

Trump clarifies on the US-Canada border closure - he expects it to be temporary and in place for at least 30 days

Trump on millennials, again, "We don’t want them gathering and I do see them gathering on beaches and restaurants. They’re feeling invincible. But they don’t realize they can be carrying lots of bad things home to grandmother and grandfather and even their parents."

Trump says he doesn't believe China is "inflicting" the virus on the US but he believes China could have given the U.S. earlier warning.

To Secy Wilkie at VA - they've tested several hundred vets; doesnt know exact # but knows that 44 vets have tested positive and are quarantined at home, 1 vet died in Portland yesterday due to COVID-19

Trump says he doesn't believe Asian Americans are put at risk "at all" when people use terms like "Kung-Flu" and would agree with calling it the Chinese virus because it comes from China

Not a single official standing alongside President Trump this morning would comment on whether or not they thought it was wrong to refer to the virus as the "Chinese virus"

Story coming up for @CourthouseNews

DEVELOPING. Tests for the novel #COVID19 remain woefully inadequate in the U.S. as disease sweeps the nation, but President Donald Trump claimed Wednesday that there is a focus to speed up the production of masks and ventilators.
courthousenews.com/trump-wants-mo…
cc: @CourthouseNews

UPDATED: More masks and ventilators are on the way, Trump and DoD say today; plus temporary halt to foreclosures/evictions, Navy ships are coming to NY, medical practice permit regulations lifted and more:
courthousenews.com/trump-wants-mo…