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.
Takeaways From Trump, White House Coronavirus Task Force Briefing
President Donald Trump takes a question during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, at the White House on March 18, 2020. Trump ordered the suspension of evictions and mortgage foreclosures for six weeks as part of the government effort
()
President Donald Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force held a press briefing today to share updates on the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are some of the key announcements President Trump and task force officials made:
- Trump will invoke the Defense Production Act, which gives the president several powers in the interest of national defense. It was originally passed in 1950 as part of the Cold War effort. For one, it requires businesses to contract with the government to provide necessary services, materials, goods, on the order of the president. It also prohibits hoarding for the purpose of price gouging of any materials the president deems to be scarce. (Note: Trump later tweeted that he signed the act but added that it was in case it needed to be invoked in a future worst-case scenario.)
- FEMA has been activated in every region at Level 1, the “highest level,” Trump said.
- Two Navy medical ships, Comfort and Mercy, are being readied for deployment and "can be launched over the next week or so, depending on need," the president said.
- The Department of Housing and Urban Development is suspending all foreclosures and evictions until the end of April, the president said.
- The government is looking into changing the coronavirus testing process to move to self-swabbing. Trump said the current testing process is "not very nice to do, I can tell you, ‘cause I did it."
- Vice President Mike Pence announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is issuing a regulation to allow doctors and other medical professionals to practice across state lines "to meet the needs of hospitals that may arise in adjoining areas."
- Pence also said the goverment is asking that doctors and hospitals nationwide delay elective procedures "to ensure that medical supplies and medical capacity go where they're needed most."
- Dr. Deborah Birx said there may be a "disproportional number of infections" among millenials. She previously said millenials were "the core group that will stop this virus."
- Trump was asked about comments reportedly made by Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin that unemployment could reach 20% without intervention from the government. The president said he didn’t agree with those comments, calling it the “absolute total worst-case scenario.”
- Trump said he planned to hold a second press conference to discuss FDA-related news.
The president announced on Twitter earlier this morning that the U.S.-Canada border will be temporarily closed to "non-essential traffic," but said it would not affect trade.
We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic. Trade will not be affected. Details to follow!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
Support for LAist comes from
You can watch the full press briefing below (it begins at the 1:04:00 mark):
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
• Your No-Panic Guide To Coronavirus In LA So Far
• Your No-Panic Guide: Sanitizer, Toilet Paper, Medicine — When Will Everything Be Back In Stock?
• Here's Your Quick, To The Point, Coronavirus Prep List
• Have A Question? We Will Answer It
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
-
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.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist