What You Need To Know: The Trump Administration’s Response To The Coronavirus

While Democrats Continue Playing Politics, The Trump Administration Is Taking Quick, Decisive Action To Address The Coronavirus

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The Facts:

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING QUICK, DECISIVE ACTION TO ADDRESS THE CORONAVIRUS

• Today, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform is holding a hearing on coronavirus preparedness and response.
• On January 7, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention established a coronavirus incident management system to provide support for the government's coronavirus response.
  • The CDC has issued guidance for healthcare professionals to assess exposure to the virus and to evaluate individuals.
  • The CDC has also developed a test which will allow state and local labs to diagnose the virus.
• Following the outbreak of the virus, the Trump Administration quickly committed billions in resources to address the virus including signing a bill that provides $7.76 billion to federal, state and local agencies to combat the virus and authorizes $500 million in waivers for Medicare telehealth restrictions.
  • Additionally, the Trump Administration transferred $35 million to the CDC to help state and local communities that have been impacted most by the coronavirus.
  • President Trump donated his quarterly salary to the Department of Health and Human Services to support efforts to confront the coronavirus.
• The Trump Administration also initiated travel bans and quarantines of individuals suspected of potentially having the virus including suspending entry of foreign nationals who have been to China and Iran within the past 14 days.
• The Trump Administration's response to the virus has been praised by Democrat Governors from Washington, California and New York.
  • Democrat Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, praised President Trump for supporting his state saying "he said everything I could have hoped for… and every single thing he said, they followed through on."
  • Washington Governor Jay Inslee said the Federal government was responsive and diligent to the needs of his state regarding the coronavirus.
  • New York Governor Andrew Cuomo praised the Trump Administration's appointment of Mike Pence to head the coronavirus task force and said his administration had a "highly functional relationship" with the Trump Administration.

WHILE PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS TAKEN DECISIVE ACTION TO ADDRESS THE CORONAVIRUS, DEMOCRATS ARE PLAYING POLITICS

• When the CDC established its coronavirus incident management system, Democrats were attacking the President for eliminating the terrorist Qasem Soleimani .
• When the CDC activated its emergency operations center to provide support for the coronavirus response, then-Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren was promising to assigned a federal task force to investigate the Trump Administration.
• When Vice President Mike Pence detailed the steps the Administration was taking to counter the virus, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was still trying to perpetuate the White House impeachment sham.
• When the Trump Administration instituted a travel ban on individuals who could potentially have the virus, Democrats accused the administration of xenophobia and fearmongering .
  • Epidemiologists and former U.S. health officials told Time that the initial travel restrictions "likely helped to slow the spread of the virus."

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THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING QUICK, DECISIVE ACTION TO ADDRESS THE CORONAVIRUS

During The Initial Outbreak Of The Coronavirus, The Trump Administration Took Concrete Action To Ensure The United States Could Effectively Address The Virus

The Coronavirus Outbreak Was Not Identified By Chinese Officials Until December 31^st, 2019. "Last week, Zhong Nanshan, one of China's most highly regarded epidemiology experts and the leader of the National Health Commission's task force on the epidemic, said officials had identified a coronavirus by Dec. 31 and took too long to publicly confirm human-to-human transmission." ( The Wall Street Journal , 3/6/20)

• On January 9, 2020, Chinese Authorities Publicly Announced The Outbreak Of The Coronavirus. "Still, Chinese authorities didn't publicly confirm an outbreak of a new coronavirus until Jan. 9, two days after The Wall Street Journal revealed it, citing people familiar with the findings. They didn't share the genome with the rest of the world until Jan. 12." ( The Wall Street Journa l , 3/6/20)

On January 7, 2020 The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention Established A Coronavirus Incident Management System And On January 21, 2020 Activated its Emergency Operations Center To Provide Ongoing Support To The Coronavirus Response. "CDC established a COVID-19 Incident Management System on January 7, 2020. On January 21, CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center to better provide ongoing support to the COVID-19 response." ( CDC, Accessed 03/10/20)

• In 2018, President Trump Signed The National Biodefense Strategy To Improve Speed Of Actions Against Situations Such As The One Presented By The Coronavirus. "The President's top priority is the health and welfare of the American people. That is why, in 2018, President Trump signed the National Biodefense Strategy, which improves speed of action in situations such as this. The Administration, led by the President's Task Force, will continue to work to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus." ( The White House , 01/29/20)

On January 29, 2020, The White House Announced The Formation Of A Task Force To Help Monitor And Contain The Spread Of The Virus. "Today, President Donald J. Trump announced the formation of the President's Coronavirus Task Force. Members of the Task Force have been meeting on a daily basis since Monday. At today's meeting, which the President chaired, he charged the Task Force with leading the United States Government response to the novel 2019 coronavirus and with keeping him apprised of developments." ( The White House , 01/29/20)

The CDC Is Currently Implementing Its Pandemic Preparedness And Response Plans And Working On Multiple Fronts To Prepare Communities To Respond To The Spread Of The Virus . "CDC is implementing its pandemic preparedness and response plans, working on multiple fronts, including providing specific guidance on measures to prepare communities to respond to local spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. There is an abundance of pandemic guidance developed in anticipation of an influenza pandemic that is being adapted for a potential COVID-19 pandemic." ( CDC, Accessed 03/10/20)

• The CDC Has Issued Clinical Guidance For Healthcare Professions In Assessing Potential Risk Of Exposure And Evaluating Persons Under Investigation For The Virus. " CDC has issued clinical guidance, including: On January 30, CDC published guidance for healthcare professionals on the clinical care of COVID-19 patients. On February 3, CDC posted guidance for assessing the potential risk for various exposures to COVID-19 and managing those people appropriately. On February 27, CDC updated its criteria to guide evaluation of persons under investigation for COVID-19. On March 8, CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN)." ( CDC , Accessed 03/10/20)
• Additionally, The CDC Has Developed A Test Which Will allow State And Local Labs To Diagnose The Coronavirus. "An important part of CDC's role during a public health emergency is to develop a test for the pathogen and equip state and local public health labs with testing capacity. CDC developed an rRT-PCR test to diagnose COVID-19. As of the evening of March 8, 78 state and local public health labs in 50 states and the District of Columbia have successfully verified and are currently using COVID-19 diagnostic tests. Combined with other reagents that CDC has procured, there are enough testing kits to test more than 75,000 people. In addition, CDC has two laboratories conducting testing for the virus that causes COVID-19. CDC can test approximately 350 specimens per day." ( CDC , Accessed 03/10/20)

Following The Outbreak Of The Virus, The Trump Administration Quickly Committed Billions In Resources To Address The Coronavirus

On March 6, 2020, The Trump Administration Signed An $8.3 Billion Bill For Fighting The Coronavirus Outbreak. "President Trump signed into law an $8.3 billion bill for fighting the coronavirus outbreak, funding efforts to develop a vaccine and assisting local and state governments' responses, as officials said they were also weighing steps to bolster the U.S. economy." ( The Wall Street Journal , 03/06/20)

• The Bill Provides $7.76 Billion To Federal, State And Local Agencies To Combat The Coronavirus And Authorizes An Additional $500 Million In Waivers For Medicare Telehealth Restrictions. "President Trump on Friday signed a bill providing $8.3 billion in emergency funding to combat the coronavirus outbreak. The bill provides $7.76 billion to federal, state and local agencies to combat the coronavirus and authorizes an additional $500 million in waivers for Medicare telehealth restrictions." ( The Hill , 03/06/20)

On March 4^th, Secretary Azar Announced That HHS Was Transferring $35 Million To The CDC To Help State And Local Communities That Have Been Impacted The Most By The Coronavirus. "Using funds provided to CDC through the HHS Secretary's Transfer, CDC will: Award an initial $25 million cooperative agreement to the states and local jurisdictions who have borne the largest burden of response and preparedness activities to date. This is an initial award for those jurisdictions who require immediate assistance for activities such as monitoring of travelers, data management, lab equipment, supplies, staffing, shipping, infection control, and surge staffing. Once supplemental funding is provided, support will be provided to all states and local jurisdictions for a variety of critical public health activities. Award an initial $10 million cooperative agreement to state and local jurisdictions to begin implementation of coronavirus surveillance across the U.S., building on existing influenza activities and other surveillance systems. This initial award is for a limited number of jurisdictions. Once supplemental funding is provided, additional support will be provided to all states and local jurisdictions to enhancing testing and surveillance. CDC will use existing networks to reach out to state and local jurisdictions to access this initial funding." ( HHS , 3/4/20)

• On March 4^th, The Trump Administration Announced The Purchase Of $500 Million N95 Respirators Over The Next 18 Months To Respond To The Outbreak Of The Novel Coronavirus. "As part of the government-wide efforts to respond to the global outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services intends to purchase 500 million N95 respirators over the next 18 months for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)." ( HHS , 3/4/20)

Additionally, President Trump Donated His Salary From The Fourth Quarter Of 2019 "Confront, Contain, And Combat #Coronavirus." "President Trump has donated his quarterly salary to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as it seeks to combat the coronavirus, the White House announced Tuesday. Press secretary Stephanie Grisham tweeted that Trump donated his salary from the fourth quarter of 2019 'to support the efforts being undertaken to confront, contain, and combat #Coronavirus.'" ( The Hill , 03/03/20)

Additionally, The Trump Administration Initiated Travel Bans And Quarantines Of Individuals Suspected Of Potentially Having The Virus

On January 31, 2020, The United States Announced Any U.S. Citizen Returning To The United States From Hubei Province Would Be Subjected To Up To 14 Days Of Mandatory Quarantine. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ALEX AZAR: "In accordance with the declaration, beginning at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time; Sunday, February the 2nd, the United States government will implement temporary measures to increase our abilities to detect and contain the coronavirus proactively and aggressively. Any U.S. citizen returning to the United States who has been in Hubei Province in the previous 14 days will be subject to up to 14 days of mandatory quarantine to ensure they are they are provided proper medical care and health screening." ( The White House , 01/31/20)

• Additionally, Any U.S. Citizen Returning From Mainland China Was Required To Undergo Proactive Entry Health Screening At A Select Number Of Ports Of Entry And Up To 14 Days Of Monitored Self-Quarantine To Ensure They Would Not Pose A Public Health Risk. AZAR: "Any U.S. citizen returning to the United States who has been in the rest of Mainland China within the previous 14 days will undergo proactive entry health screening at a select number of ports of entry and up to 14 days of monitored self-quarantine to ensure they've not contracted the virus and do not pose a public health risk." ( The White House , 01/31/20)

Additionally, On January 31, 2020, The President Signed A Proclamation Suspending Entry Into The United States Of Foreign Nationals Who Pose A Risk Of Transmitting The 2019 Novel Coronavirus. "AZAR: "Additionally, the President has signed a presidential proclamation, using his authority pursuant to Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, temporarily suspending the entry into the United States of foreign nationals who pose a risk of transmitting the 2019 novel coronavirus." ( The White House , 01/31/20)

• As A Result, Foreign Nationals Who Have Traveled To China Within The Last 14 Days Are Denied Entry Into The United States. "As a result, foreign nationals, other than immediate family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, who have traveled in China within the last 14 days will be denied entry into the United States for this time." ( The White House , 01/31/20)

On February 29, 2020, The Trump Administration Announced Do Not Travel Warnings To Areas Of Italy And South Korea, Barred All Travel To Iran And Barred Entry Of Foreign Citizens Who Have Visited Iran Within The Last 14 Days. "Vice President Mike Pence said the administration was issuing its highest-level warning, known as a 'do not travel' warning, to areas of Italy and South Korea most affected by the virus. The United States is also barring all travel to Iran, and barring entry to any foreign citizen who has visited Iran in the last 14 days. There will also be screenings of travelers coming from Italy and South Korea." ( The New York Times , 02/29/20)

The Trump Administration's Response To The Coronavirus Has Received Praise From The Democrat Governors Of New York, Washington And California

Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom Praised President Trump For Supporting His State On Combatting The Coronavirus. "California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom praised president Donald Trump on Monday for supporting his state as it combats the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak." ( Newsweek , 03/09/20)

• Newsom: "He Said Everything I Could Have Hoped For…And Every Single Thing He Said, They Followed Through On." "'We had a private conversation, but he said, "We're gonna do the right thing" and "You have my support, all of our support, logistically and otherwise,"' Newsom told reporters at a Monday news conference. 'He said everything I could have hoped for," the governor asserted. 'And we had a very long conversation and every single thing he said, they followed through on,' he noted." ( Newsweek , 03/09/20)

Washington Governor Jay Inslee Said The Federal Government Was Responsive And Diligent To The Needs Of His State Regarding The Coronavirus. " Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Sunday the federal government has been responsive to the needs of his state where more than a dozen people have died due to the novel coronavirus. Although he said there were 'troubles' with testing protocols, in the beginning, he said the federal government has been diligent." ( The Washington Time s , 03/08/20)

Governor Andrew Cuomo Praised The Trump Administration's Appointment Of Mike Pence To Head The Task Force Calling It Intelligent. "Gov. Cuomo praised the appointment of Vice President Pence as the lead official in the government's response to the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. 'Putting in the Vice President was a recognition that this is a government-wide mobilization, and that's intelligent,' Cuomo said, during an appearance on WAMC Friday." ( New York Daily New s , 02/28/20)

• Cuomo Also Said His Administration Had A "Highly Functional Relationship" With The Trump Administration. "'It would never affect the coronavirus. I had a good conversation with the vice president yesterday,' Cuomo said, adding that despite their public spats, lawsuits and political differences, his rapport with Trump is 'a highly functional relationship.'" ( New York Daily News , 02/28/20)

WHILE PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS TAKEN DECISIVE ACTION TO ADDRESS THE CORONAVIRUS, DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN DOING NOTHING BUT PLAYING POLITICS

When The CDC Established Its Coronavirus Incident Management System, Democrats Attacked The President For Eliminating The Terrorist Qasem Soleimani

On January 7, 2020, The CDC Established A Coronavirus Incident Management System. "CDC established a COVID-19 Incident Management System on January 7, 2020. On January 21, CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center to better provide ongoing support to the COVID-19 response." ( CDC , Accessed 03/10/20)

• On January 7^th Joe Biden Tweeted A Video Criticizing President Trump For Eliminating The Iranian Terrorist Qasem Soleimani. "Donald Trump says he wants to end endless wars in the Middle East, yet he is bringing us dangerously close to starting a new one." ( Twitter Feed , 1/7/20)
• On January 7^th Bernie Sanders Tweeted A Video Criticizing President Trump For Killing Terrorist Qasem Soleimani. If we get involved in a war in Iran, in all likelihood it will be even worse than the war in Iraq." ( Twitter Feed , 1/7/20)

When The CDC Activated Its Emergency Operations Center To Provide Support For The Coronavirus Response, Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren Promised To Assign A Federal Task Force To Investigate The Trump Administration

On January 21, 2020, The CDC Activated Its Emergency Operations Center to Provide Ongoing Support To The Coronavirus Response. "CDC established a COVID-19 Incident Management System on January 7, 2020. On January 21, CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center to better provide ongoing support to the COVID-19 response." ( CDC , Accessed 03/10/20)

• On January 21^st, Sen. Elizabeth Warren Made A Promise That She Would Assign A Federal Task Force To Investigate The Trump Administration If She Were Elected President. "Sen. Elizabeth Warren has promised to assign a federal task force to investigate the Trump administration if she is elected president. The Massachusetts Democrat made the pledge on Tuesday, along with promising a host of other "anti-corruption reforms, democracy reforms, campaign finance reforms." She published an overview of her plans on her campaign website." ( The Washington Examiner , 1/21/20)

When Vice President Mike Pence Detailed The Steps The Administration Was Taking To Counter The Virus, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Was Still Trying To Perpetuate The Impeachment Sham

On January 27^th, Vice President Mike Pence Detailed In A Press Conference The Steps The Trump Administration Was Taking To Counter The Coronavirus Including Conducting Screening At 20 American Airports, Issue Travel Advisories, Instituting An Aggressive Plan At The CDC To Identify Potential Cases And Working Closely With China To Confront The Crisis. VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE: "President Trump made it clear today that we are in close communication with China. And he has offered to President Xi the assistance of the United States of America. And we stand ready to help the people of China confront the coronavirus. (Applause.)And to my fellow Americans, I want to assure you that our administration has taken strong action to deal with this virus. The CDC is following an aggressive plan that will enable us to identify potential cases. So I mentioned there's five confirmed cases in the United States so far. We've -- we're already conducting screening at 20 American airports, and they're the airports that receive 90 percent of all passengers from China. Any passengers who are ill will receive additional screening. The State Department has issued a level 4 travel advisory for Wuhan, which makes it clear that no American should travel to Wuhan while this virus continues to have impact.." ( The White House , 1/27/20)

• On January 27^th, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Accused The White House Of A Cover Up In The Impeachment Trials. "We're all staring a White House cover-up in the face," Schumer also said. "If Senate Republicans are not going to vote to call Mr. Bolton and Mr. Mulvaney and the other witnesses now, if they're not going to ask for notes and emails, they're going to be part of the cover-up, too, because we have this out in the open." ( RealClear Politics , 1/27/20)

When The Trump Administration Instituted A Travel Ban On Individuals Who Could Potentially Have The Virus, Democrats Accused The Administration Of Xenophobia And Fearmongering

On January 31, The Trump Administration Declared A Public Health Emergency And Said It Would Suspend Entry Into The United States By Any Foreign Nationals Who Had Traveled To China In The Last 14 Days. "The Trump administration restricted travel from China The Trump administration said it would suspend entry into the United States by any foreign nationals who had traveled to China in the last 14 days, excluding the immediate family members of American citizens or permanent residents. By this date, 213 people had died and nearly 9,800 had been infected worldwide." ( The New York Times , Updated 2/27/20)

• Just Days Later, Former Vice President Joe Biden Hammered President Trump On His Response To The Coronavirus Saying "This Is No Time For Donald Trump's Record Of Hysteria And Xenophobia - Hysterical Xenophobia - And Fearmongering." "Former Vice President Joe Biden hammered President Trump for cutting health programs amid an outbreak of the coronavirus that originated in China and has since spread to the U.S. 'We have, right now, a crisis with the coronavirus,' Biden said in Iowa Friday. 'this is no time for Donald Trump's record of hysteria and xenophobia - hysterical xenophobia - and fearmongering to lead the way instead of science.'" ( The Hill , 2/1/20)
• Rep. Ami Bera (D- CA), Stated That The U.S. Response Was Creating Prejudices Towards The Asian Population . "'This is a virus that happened to pop up in China. But the virus doesn't discriminate between Asian versus non-Asian," said Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.), a former emergency room physician who will preside over Congress' first hearing on the outbreak on Wednesday.' In our response we can't create prejudices and harbor anxieties toward one population.'"( Politico , 2/4/20)
• The ACLU Warned That The Trump Administration's Decision To Impose The Travel Ban Could Infringe On Civil Rights. "Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union has warned that the administration's measures infringe on civil rights. Any detention of travelers or citizens must be 'scientifically justified and no more intrusive on civil liberties than absolutely necessary,' said Jay Stanley, an ACLU senior policy analyst." ( Politico , 2/4/20)
• Democracy Now Criticized President Trump Stating That The Administration Has Used The Epidemic To Promote Anti- Immigration. "In response to the coronavirus, the U.S. is barring foreign nationals who recently traveled to China from entering the country, which dovetails with Trump's anti-immigration stance. "They've essentially used this epidemic to stop all travel and movement," says @Laurie_Garrett." ( Twitter Feed , 2/3/20)

 

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