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Trump Reverses Course on Virus Task Force, Says It Will Continue For Now
Posted
May 7, 2020
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1:18Now PlayingPresident Donald Trump on Wednesday reversed course on plans to wind down his COVID-19 task force, attempting to balance his enthusiasm for "reopening" the country with rising infection rates in parts of the nation.
Just one day after the administration suggested the group's work would be done around Memorial Day, Trump said the White House task force of experts and senior government officials would continue after all, "indefinitely," with its focus shifting toward rebooting the economy and the development of a vaccine.
"I thought we could wind it down sooner," Trump said, adding, "I had no idea how popular the task force is," Trump said in the Oval Office during an event with nurses.
A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal thinking, acknowledged that signaling on Tuesday that the task force was preparing to shut down had sent the wrong message and created a media maelstrom.
While the task force has already been meeting less frequently, its medical experts, particularly Drs. Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx, have emerged as among the most trusted voices on the virus response. The Tuesday announcement of ending the task force sparked concerns that they would be sidelined as the outbreak continues amid fears of a fresh wave of illness in the fall.
"It's a respected task force," Trump told reporters. "It is appreciated by the public."
Still, Trump said membership in the group would change as the nature of the crisis evolves. He said the White House "may add or subtract people to it, as appropriate, as it panel switches its focus to the safe reopening of the nation.
President Trump called the pandemic "the worst attack" the U.S. has ever had. "This is worse than Pearl Harbor. This is worse than the World Trade Center. There's never been an attack like this. And it should have never happened," he said.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.
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