Trump news: US coronavirus cases pass 11,000 as president promotes vaccine that FDA says isn’t ready
Administration's promised backlog of respirators could take more than a year to reach hospitals
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Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump has boasted of a vaccine to treat the coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases in the US reaches 11,000, saying health officials will "fast-track" treatments. But the Federal Drug Administration said the vaccine was still an estimated "12 months" out as the agency assures that that its product is both "safe and effective".
In New York alone, the number of Covid-19 cases doubled overnight to almost 2,000, prompting mayor Bill de Blasio to call on the president to mobilise the US military.
He told CNN: “I want their medical teams, which are first rate, I want their logistical support, I want their ability to get stuff from factories all over the country where they’re needed most."
As the pandemic spreads, the US markets are taking a significant hit, with the Dow Jones dropping below 20,000 points and unemployment rates escalating.
The president was “too bad” the contagion has spread “because we never had an economy as good as the economy we had ... but we’ll be back”.
Meanwhile, the US State Department has warned against all travel outside the country as the president prodded at reporters at his White House coronavirus briefing and its new social-distancing-friendly seating arrangement, once again prompting critics to demand that health officials deliver those crucial updates.
He said: "We should probably get rid of about, another 75-80 per cent of you .... I'll have just two or three that I like in this room."
The president pointed to one reporter and told them: "You should leave immediately."
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Reporters are accused of 'siding with China' during Trump's press briefing
John T. Bennett with the full story:
Map shows how Covid-19 patients could overwhelm US hospitals
Coronavirus has already impacted hospitals and healthcare professionals across the US, with states like California and New York expressing concern about hospital bed shortages if the rapid progression of the virus doesn't decrease.
A new interactive map shows what an influx of patients could look like for hospitals across the country depending on the percentage of the population that's infected by the novel virus.
Full story here:
Trump jokes about ridding White House briefing room of even more reporters
Here's a dirty little secret from the White House beat, which your correspondent has been on since the last year of the Obama era: Donald Trump loves the media. He also sometimes lashes out at news coverage of himself and his presidency, like all presidents have – but, to be sure, none like the 45th commander in chief.
Like those who sat in the Oval Office before him, Mr Trump can, at times, be playful with reporters. But, in that unique New York way, his joking around can feel more like throwing elbows on the basketball court (once we can all play hoops again, at least).
At one point during a Thursday White House press briefing, Mr Trump noted the new anti-coronavirus seating chart that features fewer reporters from fewer outlets sitting two seats apart. Social distancing, James Brady Briefing Room style. He told those journalists in the room they are still "sitting too close."
"We should probably get rid of about, another 75-80 per cent of you," he quipped. "I'll have just two or three that I like in this room."
He then pointed to one reporter sitting in the middle of front part of the room, saying: "You should leave immediately."
Don't waste time debating whether Trump's 'Chinese virus' tweets are racist Ben Chu on why people should not waste their "intellectual bandwidth on this question".
Debra Messing predicts Trump supporters 'will die' due to the president's 'lies'
Debra Messing has publicly criticised Donald Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic, predicting that some of his supporters will die due to his management.
The actor made her views known on Twitter earlier this week, referring to the US president as the "liar-in-chief".
"Now that innumerable people (including MAGA) will die, because of his lies and inaction, I wonder if MAGA will recognise that 45 must be voted out?" she added.
Clémence Michallon with the full story:
US warns against International travel unless citizens want to stay abroad for an 'indefinite' period
The US state department has issued a new advisory warning Americans against all international travel in an effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
The top-level "do not travel" warning usually applies to the most high-risk countries around the world. Its application to all international travel represents a significant step in Washington's efforts to stop the spread of the virus.
The measure calls on all Americans abroad to return to the US or prepare to be stranded where they are.
Full story here:
Close-up photos show Trump editing 'Chinese Virus' into his press notes
All presidents overrule their aides, and Donald Trump is doing just that on his public messaging about the COVID-19 outbreak.
A photograph posted Thursday afternoon on Twitter by Jabin Botsford, a staff photographer for The Washington Post, showed the president's notes for his opening remarks during a Thursday White House press briefing on the virus, known as coronavirus.
Only Mr Trump had crossed out the "corona" part and written "Chinese" above it with the kind of black felt pen is known to use.
John T. Bennett reports:
New York City mayor pleads with Trump to provide more medical equipment
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he anticipates hospitals in the bustling city could run out of necessary medical equipment in two to three weeks.
He estimates the city alone needs another 3 million N95 masks, 50 million surgical masks, 15,000 ventilators, and 25 million protective gowns.
Mr de Blasio implored the president to manufacture these materials as soon as possible to combat the future shortages anticipated by hospitals across the country.
On Wednesday evening, the president signed the Defence Production Act "in case we need it". He has not informed the public on if medical equipment is currently in production. The Act gives the president power to direct civilian businesses to help meet orders of products necessary for the country's defence.
California governor: 25.5m people to be infected
In a letter to Donald Trump, California Governor Gavin Newsom warns that more than half of the state's population will be infected with coronavirus.
The governor is requesting a hospital ship to hospitalise incoming patients.
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