‘Ending shutdown is biggest decision yet’

washington — President Donald Trump said on Friday he faced his biggest decision yet with regard to when to re-open the US economy from its coronavirus shutdown and pledged to listen to health experts when making that determination.

Speaking at a White House coronavirus briefing, Trump said he would unveil a new advisory group next week that would focus on the process of economic opening.

The president, who faced criticism for playing down the threat from the virus in its early stages, has chafed at the devastating economic impact of the strict social distancing measures his administration has recommended. The guidelines are set to stay in place through the end of April.

The president will then have to decide whether to extend them or start encouraging people to go back to work and a more normal way of life.

“I’m going to have to make a decision, and I ... hope to God that it’s the right decision,” Trump said. “It’s the biggest decision I’ve ever had to make.”

Trump said the facts would determine the next move, though he reiterated his desire to re-open the economy. Asked what metrics he would use to make his judgment, he pointed at his forehead: “The metrics right here, that’s my metrics.”

Trump suggested the number of new infections was flattening and the death toll would be lower than initial projections of more than 100,000.

He said he would announce the members of the new advisory council possibly on Tuesday. Trump said the aggressive social distancing and stay-at-home measures taken to combat the coronavirus were showing signs of success, and situations in hot spots such as New Orleans, Louisiana, and Detroit, Michigan, were stabilising. US deaths from the virus topped 18,100 on Friday, according to a Reuters tally.

But administration officials cautioned it was still too early to ease restrictions, and said the faithful should not gather in churches on the Easter Sunday holiday.

“We know it’s difficult in this time of year in particular to avoid gatherings of more than 10, but we’re grateful that so many churches, synagogues and places of worship have done just that,” Vice President Mike Pence said. —

I’m going to have to make a decision, and I ... hope to God that it’s the right decision. It’s the biggest decision I’ve ever had to make.” Donald Trump

US President