President Trump attacked the media and China and said he was directing the FDA to fast track potential treatments.
By Teo Armus of the Washington Post
As lawmakers in the United States finalize a massive stimulus package and cities and states order residents to shelter in place to contain the novel coronavirus, fears about hospitals running out of medical supplies seem to be inching closer to reality.
The number of confirmed cases in the United States doubled in just 48 hours this week, jumping from about 5,700 on Tuesday evening to more than 13,100 late on Thursday. More than 170 people have died, and worryingly, many of those hospitalized are younger adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The sharp rise in cases nationwide stems in part from expanded testing, officials say, and the total will continue to increase as more results become available. But there are already some obstacles in the way.
Facing a shortage of swabs, chemical solutions, and masks, some hospitals have been unable to take samples, and some laboratories have been kept from running the tests. As ordinary Americans are being turned away, many actors, politicians and athletes seem to be jumping to the front of the line for tests instead.
Pressed by reporters on whether these famous figures should get easier access to testing for the virus, President Trump said no.
“But perhaps that’s been the story of life,” he added.’Americans need cash now’: Mnuchin announces plan to send checks to Americans ‘immediately’Speaking at the coronavirus task force briefing on March 17, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced plans to send checks to struggling businesses. (The Washington Post)
Republican lawmakers introduced a $1 trillion stimulus plan that would involve sending direct cash payments to many Americans. While Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called for negotiations with Democrats over the relief measures to start on Friday, the details of the package keep changing.
On Thursday, Trump embraced another idea, expressing his support for the federal government to take equity stakes in private companies that receive coronavirus bailout funds.
Many struggling industries have ask the federal government for hundreds of billions of dollars in assistance, and such an approach would protect taxpayer investments in firms. But the move is been controversial because it effectively involves partial government ownership of private companies.
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