As fears about the coronavirus outbreak roiled financial markets, U.S. political leaders grappled Monday with a public health and economic maelstrom — as well as concerns for their own safety.
As fears about the coronavirus outbreak roiled financial markets, U.S. political leaders grappled Monday with a public health and economic maelstrom — as well as concerns for their own safety.
The White House said it is “conducting business as usual,” and President Donald Trump sought to project calm as the epidemic poses one of the greatest tests yet to his administration. He would not answer questions from reporters Monday evening about whether he himself has been tested for the virus after being in contact with people who have been exposed to infected individuals.
Trump officials argued that they had the matter well in hand, and charged political opponents with rooting for an economic collapse. The president said Monday his administration will ask Congress to pass payroll tax relief, as he looks to calm financial markets’ fears over the impact of the coronavirus epidemic.
Trump told reporters that the administration was seeking “very substantial relief.”
On Capitol Hill, at least four lawmakers were in self-quarantine as discussions were underway on how to address the virus outbreak and economic volatility and keep the government functioning.
Trump lashes out
Trump dove into shake hands with supporters Monday morning when arriving to headline a fundraiser in Longwood, Fla., that raised approximately $4 million US for his re-election campaign and the Republican Party. He ignored shouted questions about the plunging stock market as he boarded Air Force One for the flight back to Washington.
In Monday morning tweets, Trump lashed out at the steep market drop and news that large public gatherings were being called off because of the virus.
“At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 22 deaths,” Trump tweeted, comparing it to seasonal influenza and the thousands of deaths that it causes. “Think about that!”
So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!
Scientists at this st