According to Fauci yesterday, the first time he presented Trump with recommendation to mitigate, the 15 days to stop the spread policy ensued. Then, the second time Fauci presented a recommendation to further mitigate, the 30 day extention to stop the spread ensued.
I would say that shows Trumps reliance upon and trust in what Fauci has recommended.
And, Fauci is a pretty even headed and measured guy...you see the stare he gave that reporter who asked if he was talking on his own volition? Death stare, like "how dare you ask me that".
What will the plan be at the end of April? We'll have to see. Already I have more confidence the governors are putting together their own plans - which is really what they should be doing. Just as states were left to best evaluate their own plans for closures and stay at home orders, those same governors are now best suited to determine how they want to ease their way out of this. And, just as the federal government has offered recommendation on mitigation, they can then issue their recommendation of a gradual resumption of business. That is what should and will happen.
What will the plan be at the end of April? We'll have to see. Already I have more confidence the governors are putting together their own plans - which is really what they should be doing. Just as states were left to best evaluate their own plans for closures and stay at home orders, those same governors are now best suited to determine how they want to ease their way out of this. And, just as the federal government has offered recommendation on mitigation, they can then issue their recommendation of a gradual resumption of business. That is what should and will happen.
By the time Drs. Fauci & Birk were brought in, Trump had no choice but to listen. I think what really shocked him into doing doing mitigation was learning that his friend - real estate developer Stanley Chera who was hospitalized w/COVID-19 quickly deteriorated from showing symptoms to being on a ventilator in a medically induced coma. He saw the rapid progression 1st hand. Chera died over this past weekend.
I don't want to argue the timeline or the fact that Trump is still touting an unproven treatment.
I agree that the governors working together is a good thing. CA Gov Newsom announced today coordination w/OR & WA re re-opening & he's in no hurry. It's not going to happen May 1. I think he & other governors along w/medical experts are making the point that there isn't going to be a single day when the US is open for business as usual. It's going to occur gradually based on models & the progress of determining who has developed immunity. Newsom said large events like sports probably won't happen this summer at all.
Universities, including Boston Univ., UVA, U South Carolina, have announced they'll be offering only onliine classes this summer & may not have in-person classes until Spring semester 2021. They're essentially saying they're prepared to sit this out through the fall.
I think that reality is going to take a while to sink in across the country. In the meantime, trials for antibody tests, vaccines, & treatments are being fast-tracked.
To the original point, Trump & his supporters simply can't fight science.
I think what really shocked him into doing doing mitigation was learning that his friend - real estate developer Stanley Chera who was hospitalized w/COVID-19 quickly deteriorated from showing symptoms to being on a ventilator in a medically induced coma. He saw the rapid progression 1st hand.
I did have a similar impression the first time he mentioned it at the briefing.
