President Trump Briefing April 7, 2020
Notes started @4:48 PM CST
@46 minutes in (anyone who can volunteer to watch and document the first 46 minutes - that would be great! I have been sitting here almost 2 hours for the remainder of the briefing and need to step away to help my family for a bit).
President Trump
A vaccine that will protect us totally - great potential - great early results
"I will protect you if your governor fails"
Today - we have a stockpile
8675 ventilators in stock ready to move
+ incredible soldiers - our military will move them should we need additional in NY etc.
Spoke to Mayor Diblasio - we have a well-coordinated campaign
spoke to Gov Cuomo
If they need something we have it - NY, LA, MI, IL - certain hot spots
we'll have time and we'll be able to move it
2200 arriving April 13th
5500 arriving on May 4th
@51:10 (phone call interruption) -
America still performing more tests - probably why we have more cases
he knows for a fact other countries have more cases than we do - but they don't report them
1,870,000 tests to date
CVS Testing sites - GA and RI - using ABBOTT LABS RAPID TEST - 5 minutes for quick results
increased impacts - real problem showing up strongly in data on the African American community - trying to address this challenge and provide support to them
They are getting hit hard - disproportional
Dr. Fauci - addressing this
the exasperation of a health disparity - known diseases like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, etc... disproportionately affect African Americans -
nothing we can do right now except try to give the best care to avoid those complications
Pres Trump - the numbers are horrible
1200 Abbott machines shipped nationwide
500 more per week
50k testing cartridges per day
We need to meet the mental health needs in this crisis - people struggling
Thur he will speak to leaders and advocates from mental health organizations across the country - to discuss resources and tools to make available to them
it's a big problem
the whole world is shut down - 182 countries are under attack by the scourge - this virus
as we wage medical war on the virus, we are speeding economic relief to our people - just had a banking meeting that was incredible
as of today small biz has processed >70 billion in loans, relief for 250k businesses already; tremendous relief - they will stay open, pay their employees, all set to go - we will have a rocket upward
Thank you to CEO's - Sax, BOA, JP CHASE, WELLS FARGO, CITIGROUP, VISA, MASTERCARD, GRAND RAPIDS STATE BANK, NUMEROUS OTHERS on the call
Way ahead of schedule; paycheck program is incredible
he will be asking Congress 250 billion additional for the paycheck protection to help keep Americans employed to faciliate a quick recovery -
the plan is amazing; the banks (big and community) are processing these loans to help people
the WHO - receives vast amounts of money from the USA - we pay a majority of their money - they criticized and disagreed with his travel ban - and they were wrong - they had info early and seemed to be very CHINA centric - going to look into that - much more than the 58 million they've gotten over the years - sometimes they get money for programs they are doing - we are going to look into it - THEY CALLED IT WRONG - THEY MISSED THE CALL - they could have called it months earlier - they would have known, they should have known, and they probably did know - we are going to put a hold on the money spent to the WHO (paraphrasing)
Shared sacrifice of all Americans - biggest banks stepped up to help small business
small biz = 50% of our economic strength
incredible to watch everyone rising up to the occasions
asking Americans to use this hashtag #americaworkstogether when sharing stories about how we are all working together to get through this
Early China and Europe closing down was a good move, we are looking to have fewer deaths than originally thought....
All medical people, police, etc. ..... bravery... is incredible. All courage, compassion of our people. Construction workers going into hospitals to rebuild sections of hospitals; they know nothing about it - just fixing the wing to have more people.
This is the national spirit that won (in the past)- unlocking the miracles of Science - the calls he had yesterday with great companies that come up with cures for diseases (the last 15 years - amazing); they are working with UK doctors - hopefully helping with their great Prime Minister
I think we will have something great in terms of vaccines and other things they are doing... helping the people of the world
Quality is important - we are going top of the line - there is a difference between good quality ventilators
Q:
A: I had no role in it. The whole thing was unfortunate. The captain should not have written a letter. didn't have to be Earnest Hemingway. He had a bad day. SHouldn't write letters...send to people... out to media - question is how did it get to the media. A lot of bad things happened there... I didn't know him, I didn't speak to him.... he did that just to end that problem... in many ways it was a very unselfish thing for him to do. They will look at that... Secretary of Defence Mark is very capable... they will take it under regular navy channels to see what they want to do - he made a mistake... shouldn't have done that... your secretary probably shouldn't have said what he said... they will end it quickly.
Q:
A: We will find out if it's enough... see applications... limit on the top, no limit on the bottom... really popular ; hundreds of thousands of applications - I really like it - just like we help the big companies (airlines) we will help the little companies
Q: reopening - economic task force
A: We want to get open soon - I think getting to top of the curve - Gov Cuomo thinks he is getting close... a lot of people think same.... this week will be a very difficult week - at that top position
Q:
A: The fed govt has done a lot and will do a lot. With the stimulus - we can do infrastructure... paying zero or close to zero interest ... the dollar is very strong - people are investing in the dollar - we have THE currency - our currency is everything - other countries want to be in our currency - the dollar is the strength - other currencies are going way way down in some cases - other countries 22 - 25- 28% going down - with us our currency is relatively stronger than was... always relative to other countries - bond issue or infrastructure - everyone wants a piece of that
Q: memos from January - when did you see them?
A: I didn't see them, but I heard he wrote some. I didn't look for them either. But that was about the same time I closed it down. I asked him about it... he said yes he talked about the possibility of the pandemic - no one said it was going to happen. Interestingly the WHO was not in favor of us closing it down - had we not we would have lost hundreds of thousands of lives.
Q: at the time of the memos - you were downplaying the virus
A: the cases didn't build up for a while - I am a cheerleader for this country - I didn't want to create havoc and shock - but as I was saying that I was closing us down from China and Europe and ultimately the UK... about that time. But I am not going to start screaming this can happen .... A president has to be a cheerleader for their country - but as I am cheerleading at the same time I am closing things down - those were big moves.
Q: you learned about the memo today
A: I read about it a few days ago? It was a feeling he had... I didn't see it.
Q: If you had read the memo at the time/...
A: I basically did what the memo said... I wouldn't change.... I haven't seen it...
Q:
A: You lose plenty of money. I couldn't have done it any better bc it was about the same time bc I closed down CHina. Of course I have confidence in him - he wrote a memo - he was right... I guess i had the same instincts as Peter... he's a smart guy - I took a lot of heat closing it down... the WHO didn't like it - they put out statements about it... Joe Biden called me xenophobic... I was called racist... since then Joe said he was wrong and that I was right... I was called names by some of the morning show hosts... now they try to hide that (the tape of them saying horrible things); if I didn't do that we would have had hundreds of thousands of more people dying
Q:
A: he respects the WHO - we have worked with them a long time but they did give us some pretty bad play calling
Q:
A: with regard to us they take in a lot of heat bc they didn't want the borders closed - they called it wrong - they said no big deal, no problem... then after I closed it down - they said I made a mistake... we're going to take a look at it - we fund it - they seem to be very China centric - bear always on the side of China - and we fund it so I want to look into it
Q: Is the time to freeze funding during a pandemic
A: No I didn't; we're going to look at it - we will look at ending funding - they called it wrong -
Q: African Americans; collect that data on the race of people being tested, treated
A: We are seeing evidence African Americans are being effected more
Sue - another lady answering
Later they will be able to analyze the races and underlying health issues
President Trump - many times it's a real thing.
We want to find cures, therapeutics, vaccines bc that will solve everyone's problem.
Why is it African Americans - more than anyone else? We want to find the reason for it?
Q:
A: We are helping them a lot but trying to find out why is it 3-4X more so for the black community - I don't like it. We will probably have stats over the next 2-3 days. Okay?
Q: Hurst Newspapers - accept from ALL small businesses not just ones they have relationships with
A: They will be doing that. We spoke with community banks today.
Q: Jerry Connally - told station Cares Action be stripped of 25 billion for USPS - hastening the demise of USPS
A: The postal service has lost billion for years- this is a new one - the internet companies that give their stuff to the postal service - they lose money every time they deliver for Amazon and these companies - if they'd raise the prices by actually a lot the post office could make money or break even - but they don't do that - I'm trying to figure out why. Raise prices for these companies that drop thousands of packages on the floor of the post office - we have been pushing them for over a year. Our post office with these routes - you could never build - they go to all these places... tell your democrat friend he ought to focus on that bc if he did he could truly save the post office. That's the way to solve the problem.
Q: What have you learned and can offer to other leaders who are still skeptical?
A: The worst pandemic we ever had in this world was a flu - 1917-1918 -
50-100 million people died. That was a flu. The flu is nothing to sneeze at.
There aren't too many of them. About everyone who has practiced that is now closing up. UK is an example. Sweden is suffering very gravely. The herd. They call it the herd. It's a way of doing it. Everybody has been watching everybody else.
Q: Voting in Wisconsin - thousands waiting in lines. Supreme Court right?
A: Of course the Supreme Court was right - you know what happened - Justice Kelly - fantastic judge I endorsed - as soon as I endorsed him they wanted to move the election (the democrats). Now they talk about safety - it was 15 minutes after the endorsement they wanted to move the election. Another crazy - they wanted 1 week for proxy mail ballots. Mail ballots are cheaters... they should have voter ID. The democrats (this was turned over yesterday - great credit to the court) wanted to have mailed ballots not an election day. Mail ballots are corrupt in my opinion. The Democrats in Wisconsin had no problem with the election being today until I endorsed Republican candidate Justice Kelly. Go back 2 weeks, 2 days... they thought they were going to win.
Q: hydroxychloroquine donated - is there a system in place to track side effects
A: the side effects are the least of it - people are dying all over the place - the Z Pack antibiotic side effects with the heart
I watched a woman last night on good show (LAURA), she thought she was good as dead (from Michigan) - she asked her husband to go to the store to get it (which President Trump made it available) - he went at 10pm to get it - 4 hours later she felt better.... she's a democrat representative, highly respected, African American woman - she is now okay and she thanked me (even in a Tweet). I don't say that happens with everybody. It's a beautiful story. I say "try it". You are not going to die from this pill. There could be side effects but the side effects are more from the Z Pack. Doctors have to recommend it. I am not a doctor. People are dying as we speak. I think it's a great thing to try based on what I know. Get a physician's approval. They also say it's good for the hospital workers to take - keeps it away - keeps it out of your system. We have a 1500 case study going in NY.
Q:
A: We did change FINE - don't know him (maybe from CLINTON); we have 7 nominations in; a change I could have made years ago...
Q: What do you mean about China Centric?
A: They didn't see it, yet they were there. How do you not see it? They must have seen it. But they didn't report it. They were against closing the borders.
Q:
A: All I did was endorse a candidate. I don't know about their lines. I won the state of WI and I am going to win it again bc we have been great to the people of WI bc of our policies - they like me and I like them. All I did was endorse a candidate and all hell broke loose and all the sudden they wanted to change..... let's move it 2-3 month... safety safety safety...
Q:
A: That's run by them. Their problem. Call the Gov of WI and ask him that question.
Q: @1:35 hr Guy asked about oil
A: What's the price of oil today? (reporter did not know)
Pres said - then how can you ask the question if you don't know the price... next question
Q:
A: There's a difference bc someone out of state - certifications etc... and thousands of people sitting in someone's living room....signing ballots... concept of early voting not the greatest... but it's okay. you should go and vote.
Q:
A: They know we've done a great job- not a good job
Q:
A: We say let us know and immediately we drop out of the bidding - sometimes ....
(???)
Q: inaccurate death counts
A: I think they are pretty accurate on the death counts - when someone dies... if you look at China and these large countries - number of cases - I would be willing to bet they have more than we do but they don't do the testing like we do; but we are more accurate, our testing is done more accurately, we have a good process
Q: payroll relief tax
A: Good question. I would love to see a payroll tax cut. would be long term... a lot of people would like to see a more permanent - the democrats are stopping it - maybe they think it's good politics to stop it - I would like to have it regardless of this - this would be a fantastic time to have a payroll tax cut - I think it's something we should do for business and people - gets money in the hands of them both immediately over an extended period- simple to do - I would love you to speak to the democrats and get it done.
Turning it over... we're working very hard on the African American statistics. I don't like it.
VP Mike Pence
It's a very tough week in America.
Our hearts go out to all the families who have lost loved ones to the Coronavirus. I speak for the whole task force - our hearts are with the people of NY City today. Heartbreaking losses.
There is reason for hope.
Dr. Birx will enumerate in a few moments - we are seeing evidence of stabilization (NJ, Long Island, CT, Detroit, Chicago, Denver... some others)
Dr. Cuomo articulated today - hospital admissions continue to decline
Thank you, American people, for putting into practice
More than 385k test positive, more than 12k succumb to the illness
Our future is in our hands.
Urge every American to put into practice the guidance you are receiving from your state and local authorities -take it to heart, take it seriously, you are truly making a difference
Today - spoke to over 500 business owners - call
more than 60 billion in forgivable loans - covering 2 months of paychecks - distributed and the number will grow by the day
Another call today - other heroes - our healthcare workers
People working critical infrastructure and food supply (farmers, ranchers, processors, distributors, truckers, grocers)
Americans are keeping food on the table for our fellow Americans
Tyson Foods, Hormel, and others... THANK YOU for what you are doing to keep the store stocked... showing up daily and working hard to keep food supply rolling
President got a commitment that no grocery store would close (weeks ago when he brought the grocery store heads in)
There have been reports of some plants having reduced capacity bc concerns for exposure of the virus - some worker absenteeism - some plants forced to closed temporarily
to all of you working in the food industry - you are vital - you are giving a great service to the people of America - we need you to continue as a part of our critical infrastructure to SHOW UP and do your job - we will work to make sure that workplace is safe
Working tirelessly around the clock to identify resources around the world
51 major disaster declarations - Minnesota
More than 3000 department of defense and HHS people on the ground in the NYC area - and redeployed as the virus moves - we salute those patriotic Americans to bring relief to our healthcare workers
We distribute ventilators across the country - sending more
Marion 50
Delaware 50
leaves more than 8400 in the national stockpile
Correction from yesterday - FEMA made a different decision with CA - 500 ventilators Gov Newsom donated to our nation's efforts
- 100 donated to NY
- 100 to NJ
- 100 IL
- Maryland 50
- Washington DC 50
- Delaware 50
- Nevada 50
Established a control tower system
90 % of the supplies are being routed directly into our massive distribution system - FEMA is using DR BIRX data to target areas of need
distributed to NY region
- 6 million N95
- 6 million surgical masks
- 2.8 million gowns
New Orleans -
- 837 n95,
- 165 surgical masks,
- 6 million gloves
Detroit - focal point - working with Gov and Mayor
- 1.6 million n95,
- 700k surgical masks,
- 24 million gloves in the last 5 days
Chicago
- 1.7 n95
- 900k surgical gloves
- 25 million glove
Healthcare workers be encouraged - we are making sure you have the resources you need to do your job and go to your family safely
Last Slide - cumulative numbers
FEMA is directing hour by hour, day by day basis where resources are needed.
We are on the front end of the 30 Days to Slow the Spread -
there is evidence of leveling and progress... the time to redouble our efforts - do everything each and every one of us can. Do our part to lessen the impact of the coronavirus on lives. Make sure no one is unnecessarily exposed to this virus.
Dr. Birx
@1:53
We need to improve messaging around this. We don't want to give the impression the African Americans are more susceptible to the virus - but they are more susceptible to disease outcomes (preexisting conditions)
Call on indigenous to protect the elders in their communities
Call for unbelievable attention to detail - hand washing and protect from others if you don't feel well.
Why supplies went to these areas?
NEW YORK
they have 7 cases per 1000 = highest in the country
NYC closer to twice that
- NJ - 4:1000
- LA 3:1000
- Mass 2
- ct 2
- MI 1.5
- DoC 1.5
- PA 1 concerned Philadelphia
the extraordinary West Coast - - WA <1
- CA <.5
- OREGON even less
bc the enormous work they are doing to prevent spread -it's allowing resources to go to these other states
this data is allowing us to make intelligent decisions of need and understand what's happening across the country
Monday - increase of cases bc decreased reporting over the weekend
creating a much flatter curve
across the country Detroit, Chicago - not this extreme - but staying more 2 cases per 1000
shows the amazing activity of every American in those cities
less socialization between households - make the household independent and protected - only socialize a virtual way by computers, zoom, FaceTime
CALLING ON LABS to increase the testing capacity.
ABBOTT M2000 - get it up and running -they could double the tests they are doing per day - about 80% are idle - automated robotic situation - they could run - over 1 million test kits are sitting
increase diagnostic testing and more healthcare workers, first responders, surveillance etc
Antibody tests not validated - working with a series of companies - made for decades for HIV etc... working on that quality - until we get those - if you see them on the internet - do not buy them until we can give you a reliable test for all Americans. Some on the internet may have low sensitivity and specificity and may give you a false positive. People working around the clock to make those available.
Important for any reoccurrence in the fall or in the future (to understand asymptomatic)
Another lady speaker - dark hair (Sue?)
Healthcare - increased expenses
Telehealth costing money
Pres asked 10 days ago - to do accelerated payments
25k requests - have done 75% of these
total 34 billion in loans into the healthcare system
starting implementation of Cares Act - 100 billion additional
this week they will put out 30 billion grants - no strings attached - they can spend any way they see fit (medicare related?)
direct deposit - will go right into their bank accounts
simple registration for other providers
expecting that to happen this week
this is not first come first serve basis
basing on their medicare revenue - they will get these dollars - so no panic in system
get the money out as soon as possible - healthcare providers who weighed in on these opinions
a lot of revenue comes from other sources -
2nd funding will address these other types of healthcare providers
64 billion total for the healthcare system this week alone
Fed effort to support our healthcare system
The best thing to do to support our healthcare is to adhere to the guidelines to slow the spread.
Dr Fauci
health disparities African American communities
greater part of his career defined by HIV aids - how the gay community responded changed the stigma
parallel here - the crisis now is shining a bright light on how unacceptable it is (the African Americans health conditions - diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma - ICU and higher death rate)
We will get over Coronavirus but there will still be health disparities we need to address for the African American Community
@2:08 hours
Q: Why states need to send ventilators (from CA and WA)
A: Dr. Birx - we did not ask for them. These states have amazing Health Commissioners. We attempted to do something with these models that has never been done before. We will learn a lot from other states and communities to learn how to do this better next time. We've never attempted anything like this in my lifetime.
CDC director talked earlier today - models were different
We are learning across the world - transparent - communities can be part of the solution.
(She started there 5 weeks ago)
The Gov decided to send them the ventilators.
Q:
A: Tracking all closely. Health educators and Health advocates. Appealing to the LABS - I really need the ABBOTT 2000 online to do more tests.
The ability to self-test. She did it. Straightforward. Works well with the rapid test.
We now have to create a mosaic - where all our machines are in the USA - where our gaps are - align our resources - ensure we have the right lab test for the right community.
Q:
A: Time varies state by state - and they will be talking with the states.... right now they are focusing on hospital testing - so labs are putting drive thru tests on the back .... if you are an outpatient - that is where the delays are right now - but it's state by state... they are trying to reconcile those two pieces
team meets tonight to review that - the state by state turn around time for testing
these ABBOTT laboratory devices - 18k across the country - STREP TEST - same device - 15 minute test
CALLING ALL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS across the country - FIND YOUR DEVICE and we will work to get tests to you.
Q: how do you envision turning back on?
A: It's President's decision -informed by what the data shows - when we can responsibly reopen America.
CDC will have new guidance tomorrow - for people in proximity of people who tested positive.; who can return back to work with protection and temp monitoring etc.
Weeks ahead - focusing daily at the point of the need
1st mission is to save lives.
Slow the spread.
Bend the curve.
Continue to engage the American people - social distancing into practice.
DUal track - President has already initiated - what recommendations will look like- what they give to businesses and states - all based on putting the health of the American people first.
Q: Summer camp; next school year on time?
A: VP - on behalf of teachers - he's married to one - I am proud of every teacher in this country. Thank you for what you are doing for continuing learning even in this challenging time. To all the kids - just because you are home doesn't mean you don't have to do your school work.
We will look at it with guidance going forward. Will defer to the health experts. Most important thing we can do is put this behind us as soon as possible.
Dr. Fauci - daughter is school teacher asking the same question; how we respond and what kind of rebound we see - may impact summer camps more than fall; by the time we get to the fall - we will have it under control enough it won't be like now- optimistic side says ... but it will be different bc it won't completely disappear....
by that time antibody test - who's protected....who's vulnerable - and how do you treat these different groups - all will go into the decision....
no absolute prediction but I think we will be in good shape
Q:
A: In this country, we have taken a liberal approach to mortality - reporting here in last 5 weeks... Jan and Feb unknown
Other countries - if you have a pre-existing condition - some countries are reporting that as a heart or kidney issue not a COVID 19 death... right now we are still recording it as COVID 19 - the intent now if someone dies WITH COVID19 we are counting that as a COVID19 death -
Q: Are you concerned it skews the data?
A: Dr. Birx Applies more to rural areas - without the same level of testing - confident of NY, NJ and places with COVID only hospitals, WA, LA as well
I don't see a barrier to testing and diagnosis.
Dr. Fauci - I cannot see someone coming in with COVID and an underlying heart condition and they die - them saying it was a heart attack.
Q:
A: Dr. Fauci - I can't be confident to predict patterns - the underlying reason that is happening doesn't change from state to state - the underlying conditions that lead to complications - I think we will see the disproportion of African Americans
Yes - it will be public as soon as you get enough data to make a meaningful statement.
VP- task force has assigned that now - it is a great concern for us. Probably a good reminder - we have to be especially careful around people with serious underlying health conditions.
Risk of serious COVID remains low for average American - but for anyone with serious health conditions - the tragedy is very real.
- If you can work from home - do it
- Avoid unnecessary travel
- use drive-through
- not just protect yourself but to protect others with underlying conditions
We hasten the day - this will be behind us and we will put America back to work.
Thank you all.
We'll see you tomorrow.
