White House Coronavirus Task Force press briefing began about 10:50 a.m. CDT on Thursday, March 20, 2020.
Speakers:
President Donald J. Trump; Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; DHS Secretary Chad Wolf; HHS Secretary Alex Azar; Dr. Deborah Birx, WH Coronavirus Task Force Response Coordinator; Dr. Anthony Fauci, NIH/WH Coronavirus Task Force; Vice President Mike Pence.
Standardized educational testing requirements for education suspended.
Waiving interest on student loans.
Tax Filing Day moved to July 15, 2020.
Working on cross-border procedures with Canada and Mexico. Northern border and southern border being treated equally.
United States and Mexico have agree to restrict non-essential travel going into effect Saturday March 21, 2020.
State Department a Level 4 Global Travel Advisory. US Citizens should make arrangements for immediate return or expect to remain abroad for an extended time period.
The CDC has determined that coronavirus risk is high at the border and at detention centers. The CDC order to turn away people that arrive at the border without documentation will go into effect at midnight Friday/Saturday March 20/21, 2020. Social distancing recommendations were not possible at migration center.
Still seeing increasing trend of severe illness in people 29 and under.
The mortality of males is nearly twice the mortality rate of females in all age groups.
Dr. Birx emphasized that people who are saying they are immune to coronavirus are incorrect.
Mike Pence emphasized that citizens should listen to local authorities.
Status of testing capability is improving.
Major procurement of N95 masks coming this weekend.
Tens of thousands of existing ventilators can be retrofitted to help people with Coronavirus COVID-19.
Every American can do their part to reduce the spread of coronavirus COVID-19. Vice President Mike Pence recommended THE PRESIDENT’S CORONAVIRUS GUIDELINES FOR AMERICA: 15 DAYS TO SLOW THE SPREAD [PDF] (from the Template Archive)
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