Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
White House's Social Distancing Guidelines Will Be 'Fading Out,' Trump Says
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 29: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks while meeting with industry executives during an event on "Opening Up America Again" at the White House on April 29, 2020 in Washington, DC. Trump said, "This virus is going to be gone," during his remarks at the event. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
()
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
BY FRANCO ORDOÑEZ | NPR
President Trump said the existing coronavirus social distancing guidelines that were set to expire with the end of April on Thursday will not be extended further, as more governors begin steps to lift restrictions and reopen their economies.
The administration said the existing social distancing recommendations are being incorporated by governors into their new future plans.
Support for LAist comes from
"They'll be fading out, because now the governors are doing it," Trump said.
During a White House meeting with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards on Wednesday, Trump commended governors for taking steps to reopen their economies.
DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Get our daily newsletters for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines.
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
The original two-week guidelines that were extended 30 more days called for Americans to work from home, limit travel, and avoid large gatherings.
Support for LAist comes from
Vice President Mike Pence said the existing guidelines were being applied to the new guidance issued by the White House on how states can reopen safely.
"Every state in America has embraced those guidelines at a minimum, or even done more, and now our focus is working with states," Pence said. "The current guidelines I think you can say are very much incorporated in the guidance that we're giving states to open up America again."
Two weeks ago, the White House released a three-phase plan that would provide guidelines for when states might reopen.
The proposal is predicated on states having a downward trajectory of confirmed cases, and it involves states having the capacity to treat all hospitalized patients, testing of health care workers, and the ability to trace contacts of those infected.
This comes as governors have struggled with the competing interests of reopening their economies while keeping their communities safe.
A handful of states have taken steps to relax their social distance guidelines, including Alaska, Georgia and Tennessee.
Others, like North Carolina and Michigan, have extended their restrictions into May.
Support for LAist comes from
Though he once said he had "total" authority regarding when states could reopen, Trump says he is largely leaving those decisions to governors.
"We're doing it very carefully," Trump said. "We learned a lot over the last couple of months."
This article originally appeared on NPR.org.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzOTZweCIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist