.@wolfblitzer on @CNN: When did the president know that 100K Americans dying from the coronavirus was the best case scenario?
VP Pence: We have been working to given the president best projections. Italy may be most comparable area to the U.S.
Pence not answering Q directly.
VP Pence: We have been working to given the president best projections. Italy may be most comparable area to the U.S.
Pence not answering Q directly.
Q: Why hadn't the president seen these numbers before if models showing 100K Americans dying had been out for wks?
Pence: Dr. Birx is one of the best experts & the first decision I made was to bring her on. She completed work on models Fri. & models were shown to Trump on Sat.
Pence: Dr. Birx is one of the best experts & the first decision I made was to bring her on. She completed work on models Fri. & models were shown to Trump on Sat.
.@wolfblitzer: Why was the U.S. so late in its response?
VP Pence: We have been taking bold and decisive steps at the president's direction. We banned travel to China and took steps early.
VP Pence: We have been taking bold and decisive steps at the president's direction. We banned travel to China and took steps early.
.@wolfblitzer repeats Q after VP Pence doesn't answer directly: Why was U.S. so late in its coronavirus response?
Pence: We could have been better off if China had been more forthcoming. But, I couldn't be more proud of the president's leadership & those advising the president.
Pence: We could have been better off if China had been more forthcoming. But, I couldn't be more proud of the president's leadership & those advising the president.
.@wolfblitzer: It would have been better if the president wasn't "belittling" the virus by saying it was like the flu and that cases would miraculously go down to zero.
Pence: "The president is an optimistic person...We have been hoping for the best but planning for the worst."
Pence: "The president is an optimistic person...We have been hoping for the best but planning for the worst."
VP Pence: Sometimes in "early June" we could have the coronavirus behind us.
@wolfblitzer: Are you saying 100K people will be dead by early June?
Pence: I just want people to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
(WH charts show deaths could be happening in June.)
@wolfblitzer: Are you saying 100K people will be dead by early June?
Pence: I just want people to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
(WH charts show deaths could be happening in June.)
.@wolfblitzer: Why not have a national lockdown if best case scenario is 100K Americans dying from virus?
Pence: Most places are taking mitigation measures.
(Pence not answering directly. I asked same Q yesterday & Dr. Brix said Trump trusts that ppl will take measures.)
Pence: Most places are taking mitigation measures.
(Pence not answering directly. I asked same Q yesterday & Dr. Brix said Trump trusts that ppl will take measures.)
@wolfblitzer: Should all Americans be wearing masks?
VP Pence: CDC is looking at the issue of masks as a protective move. We will have a recommendation for the president at the appropriate time.
VP Pence: CDC is looking at the issue of masks as a protective move. We will have a recommendation for the president at the appropriate time.
.@wolfblitzer: What's your message to the American people?
VP Pence: Our encouragement to every American is it's important that everyone of us continue to do our part...If all of us do all what we can, we will get through this.
VP Pence: Our encouragement to every American is it's important that everyone of us continue to do our part...If all of us do all what we can, we will get through this.
