Trump suggests U.S. may be dealing with virus until ‘July or August,’ says recession is possible
WASHINGTON — Racing to stall an expected surge of coronavirus cases, the White House on Monday released a series of sweeping guidelines that for the next 15 days will temporarily rewrite the norms of American society.
President Donald Trump, employing a newly somber tone about the crisis enveloping the globe, urged all older Americans to stay home and everyone to avoid crowds and eating out at restaurants. The president for the first time acknowledged that the pandemic may send the economy into a recession and suggested that the nation may be dealing with the virus until “July or August.”
Among the new recommendations: Over the next half month, Americans should not gather in groups of more than 10 people, schooling should be at home and discretionary travel and social visits should be avoided. If anyone in a household tests positive for the virus, everyone who lives there should stay home. The administration did not say how old people should be to follow the advice to stay home.
“We will rally together as one nation and we will defeat the virus,” Trump said. “We can turn the corner and turn it quickly.”
The president, when asked when the pandemic would subside, said that “if we do a really good job,” the crisis could pass by the height of summer. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the administration’s infectious disease expert, did not challenge that claim.
Trump’s prediction was far less optimistic than his earlier ones, when he insisted it could be over in weeks. He also acknowledged that the virus may send the nation’s economy into a recession, a potentially brutal blow for an incumbent in an election year.
That admission was startling for Trump, who for two weeks had struck a discordantly optimistic tone about the pandemic. On Monday that upbeat demeanor was gone as he acknowledged the virus was “not under control” in the United States or globally.
He said he did not yet plan to call for domestic travel restrictions while his administration made pointed appeals to millennials to stop socializing and spreading the virus. He was reluctant to advise states to cancel the primary elections ahead. And without providing details, he said “we’re going to back the airlines 100%,” a note of reassurance for an industry crippled by travel bans and fears of spreading the virus.
About 3,800 cases have been reported in the United States and so far, more than 65 people have died from coronavirus.
On Capitol Hill, a coronavirus response measure is likely to pass the Senate this week. The 100 senators, with a few exceptions, were expected to gather Monday evening, despite the federal public-health guidelines prohibiting large gatherings.