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.
Trump: COVID-19 Is 'A Matter Of Life And Death, Frankly'
Americans should brace for 100,000 or more people to die in the coming months in the coronavirus pandemic, the White House Coronavirus Task Force said Tuesday.
"As sobering a number as that is, we should be prepared for it," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, a top immunologist helping steer White House policy on the disaster. "No one is denying the fact that we are going through a very, very difficult time right now."
Fauci and another member of the task force, Dr. Deborah Birx, renewed their pleas for Americans to keep observing social distancing rules and other precautions to try to reduce the rate of infections and deaths.
Support for LAist comes from
Birx said, however, that she is "reassured" by looking at what Los Angeles has accomplished with social distancing in terms of how other cities might be able to respond as well.
When asked about how the pandemic might affect people experiencing homelessness in California specifically, Trump used the opportunity to praise Gov. Gavin Newsom and take a swipe at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
"I know that [the concern about COVID-19 and the homeless] bothers Gavin," he said. "I don't know if it bothers Nancy Pelosi, but she's got it, in her district, at a very high level."
Task force members used Tuesday's briefing to detail the metrics that informed their predictions. Birx showed reporters at the White House a chart that showed what she called a "blue mountain" of deaths hitting a peak of around 2.2 million — a projection of what could have taken place without any countermeasures.
Social distancing and other protocols cause that estimated curve to be shallower, which is why they're so essential, Birx said. She and Fauci said the models they've cited still were subject to change based on the ongoing response.
But she also warned that in the face of the "stark reality" of the coronavirus – and to keep that curve from going back up – Americans must continue to isolate and take the other precautionary measures.
Support for LAist comes from
Note: President Trump usually opens these news conferences with his own remarks. His comments in a number of past briefings have later been contradicted by information provided by other officials. He has also repeatedly used stigmatizing language to describe COVID-19. Following the president's remarks, health experts and other adminstration leaders provide additional updates.
DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Get our daily newsletter for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines.
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Support our free, independent journalism today. Donate now.
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
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist