“Trump: Americans could be hunkered down until summer
President Donald Trump said Americans could be hunkered down and practicing social distancing at least until July or August to confront the coronavirus pandemic.
During a White House briefing on Monday, Trump was asked whether the administration had any estimate of how quickly the country would “turn this corner.” Many Americans have been working from home, and states are increasingly closing schools, businesses and prohibiting large gatherings of people.
“People are talking about July, August -- or something like that,” Trump told reporters, were spaced every other seat in the White House briefing room to practice distancing.
The president did not discuss specific practices that would have to be implement for that long, but the question was posed in terms of the steps that the country is currently taking.
Trump said it could take at least that long until the virus “washes through,” a term he has used before that he acknowledged Monday that some around him don’t like. Reporters pressed Trump on whether the work from home order and closes would be the new normal until the height of the summer.
“They think August, could be July,” Trump said. “Could be longer than that.”
The answer to that question could have enormous implications for not for people’s daily lives but for the economy. The White House and Congress are attempting to approve a first economic bill this week to help offset economic losses and are already contemplating other legislation to target particularly hard industries.”
Coronavirus: Trump says Americans could be hunkered down until summer