Larry Kudlow, Trump’s top economic adviser,
told reporters Tuesday that “public health
includes economic health.”
“That’s the key point. And it’s not either-or. It’s
not either-or, and that’s why we’re taking a fresh
look at it,” he said.
During a private conference call with roughly 30
conservative leaders on Tuesday, Vice President
Mike Pence reinforced Trump’s eagerness to lift
coronavirus-related work and travel restrictions
“in a matter of weeks, not months.”
When pressed on a specific timeline for lifting
restrictions, Pence said there would be no formal
decisions made until the current 15-day period
of social distancing was complete, according to
a conference call participant who spoke on the
condition of anonymity to share details of the
private discussion.
Pence told the group that accommodations
would need to be made for the highest-risk
populations if and when restrictions begin
to be lifted.
Despite Trump’s rosy talk, other elements of the
government were digging in for the long haul.
Top defense and military leaders on Tuesday
warned department personnel that the virus
problems could extend for eight to 10 weeks, or
even into the summer.
Army Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a Defense
Department town hall meeting that restrictions
could go into late May or June, possibly even
July. He said there are a variety of models from
other countries, so the exact length of the virus
and necessary restrictions are not yet clear.