President Donald Trump said that he wants to reopen the country for business in weeks, not months.
What We Know:
- Trump claimed, even without evidence, that continued closures could result in more deaths than the pandemic itself.
- “We can’t have the cure be worse than the problem,” Trump said. “We have to open our country because that causes problems that, in my opinion, could be far bigger problems.”
- Health experts have made it clear that unless Americans continue to limit social interaction, the number of infections will drastically affect the health care system.
- With the economic impact now getting into focus and millions of people out of work, businesses temporarily closing and the markets in free fall, it is all undermining Trump’s reelection message. “Life is fragile, and economies are fragile,” Trump said.
- Trump stated that if closures continue on for months, there would be “probably more death from that than anything that we’re talking about with respect to the virus”.
- Those comments were evidence that Trump has grown impatient with the pandemic, even before it has reached its expected peak.
- In addition, there have been arguments between those who believe the country needs to get back up and running to prevent an economic depression and medical experts who warn that unless directed to do so, it could be very risky.
Trump tweeted that he would be waiting until the end of the current 15-day period of recommended closures and self-isolation to make any further decisions, which which would be March 30.
