Millions of respirators have been delivered to New York.
President Trump said Louisiana, parts of Michigan, and New Jersey, are becoming hot spots just as in New York, which is the epicenter. He said no resource in being spared to get things back into shape. He praised the governors for doing great jobs. The Javits Center is going to be allowed to be a COVID-19 medical facility. The ship will remain as it is.
The CDC is announcing additional steps to take to protect transmission from persons without symptoms. They are advising the use of non-medical cloth face covering as a voluntary healthcare measure for a period of time. Basic cloth or fabric masks, made at home, easily reusable, are what they want people to use. Keep the medical and surgical masks for the front-line healthcare workers.
The guidelines do not replace social distancing, staying at home, or practicing hand hygiene. Dr. Birx said it is not meant to give a false sense of security.
President Trump is signing an order to prevent the export of medical equipment needed here under the Defense Production Act. Hoarding and price gouging is also being addressed. The Department of Health and Human Services has taken materials that were being hoarded and they are being delivered to places that are in need.
The federal government, through the Department of Defense, is providing multiple millions of N95 respirators, and many have already been delivered to New York. In addition, surgical gowns and other equipment is being delivered to Louisiana for New Orleans.
Over 9,000 retired Army medical personnel have answered the call to give aid. The military will staff the Javits Center facility. National Guard members are building hospitals and assisting in distributing supplies.
The Army Corps of Engineers has assessed facilities in all 50 states and are preparing to or already building temporary medical care locales in many of them.
“What a job they’re doing,” the president said. “We are also deploying the skills of medical doctors, researchers and others in the work of the pharmaceutical cocktail that seems to be effective in many cases. We have a tremendous supply of this. So if it works, this could have some pretty big impacts, “ he continued.
He urged, “Stay at home. Stay healthy. You’ll see some bad things; then you’ll see some really good things, and it won’t be too long. This was artificially induced, but we are healing, and we’ll get it better soon.“
Vice President Mike Pence said some areas across America where we evidence of the mitigation efforts having a positive effect. In California and Washington state, cases remain but in a steady but low rate. “We commend Americans all across the country for putting into effect the guidelines,“ he said. “We are prioritizing resources to support healthcare workers in communities where we see increases,“ and he named several.
Abbott Instruments, which can now provide 15 minute tests, has 18,000 machines across the country today, and more are being acquired by FEMA for distribution.
The FDA has approved innovative new tests and an antibody treatment.
Airbridge flight arrived in Columbus, Ohio, today from China with medical equipment, particularly personal protective equipment, and ventilators.
Reminder, the guidelines are important and every American has a role to play. Thank you for stepping forward. This will slow the spread. Keep on keeping on. “We will get through this, America,” he said.
Dr. Deborah Birx says every American is being asked for discipline and determination to stop the spread of this virus.
She said the curve in Washington state and California is different from, say, New York, and the way the residents are following the guidelines has made a difference.
New York metro, New Orleans and other places are being targeted for support as each of these areas move through their peak of new infection.
This week and next week are incredibly difficult. Healthcare workers and their compassion and support is commendable.
Chicago, Detroit and Colorado, the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania have areas that we are watching carefully.
Secretary of the Health and Human Services Alex Azar thanked all who are going into battle every day against the virus.
New treatment options are being looked at for therapeutic treatments. A web portal is being donated to the government to collect data on how patients are responding to therapeutic treatments. This reporting will be done by providers.
Asked about whether every state should have stay-at-home orders as Dr. Fauci has suggested, the president said he is leaving that to the governors.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For God to be at work through the president, vice president, and other members of the Coronavirus Task Force.
- For wisdom for the president and administration officials as they continue working this weekend in an effort to provide care for the American people.
Sources: White House, Fox News, CDC
