Trump acknowledged that some want the
guidance to continue, but claimed without
providing evidence that keeping the guidance
in place would lead to deaths from suicide
and depression.
“This cure is worse than the problem,” Trump said.
During a press briefing Tuesday evening, Trump
said public health officials and economists
were “working to develop a sophisticated plan
to open the economy as soon as the time is
right — based on the best science, the best
modeling and the best medical research there
is anywhere on earth.”
Trump’s enthusiasm for getting people back to
work comes as he takes stock of the political
toll the outbreak is taking. It sets up a potential
conflict with medical professionals, including
many within his government, who have called
for more social restrictions to slow the spread
of the virus, not fewer.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading expert
on infectious diseases and a member of the
White House’s coronavirus task force, did not
appear at the virtual town hall, but Trump
denied there were any tensions between the
two men.
“I will be guided very much by Dr. Fauci and
Deborah,” Trump said.
At the press briefing later, Fauci said, “No one
is going to want to tone down anything when
you see what is going on in a place like New
York City.” But he suggested he would be
willing to examine the potential for easing the
CDC advisories in areas that have been less
affected by the outbreak.