Schools as if this was september 2019 bout a pandemic. And do well, thank you very much. And good afternoon. Today i want to provide an update on our response to the china virus and what my administration is doing to get the outbreak in the sun belt under control. Seems largely in sun belt, but could be spreading. My team is also working night and day with capital hill to advance the next Economic Relief package. Were working very hard on it. Were making a lot of progress. I also know that both sides want to get it done. Well call it phase four. I think were going to get it done. Well protect our workers, our schools, and our families and protect them very strongly. As one family, we mourn every precious life thats been lost. I pledge in their honor that we will develop a vaccine, and we will defeat the virus. Were doing very well with Vaccine Development and therapeutic development. But i want to thank our brave doctors and nurses and frontl e line respond rs. The job they do is incredible and they are truly brave. My administration will stop at nothing to save lives and shield the vulnerable, which is so important. Weve learned so much about this disease. And we know who the vulnerable are. And we are going to, indeed, shield them. And again, the vaccines are coming, and theyre coming a lot sooner than anyone thought possible by years. If you look at the old system and look at the new system, i think by years. The china virus is a vicious and dangerous illness but weve learned a great deal about it and who it targets. We are in the process of developing a strategy thats going to be very, very powerful. Weve developed, as we go along, some areas of our country are doing very well. Others are doing less well. It will probably, unfortunately, get worse before it gets better. Something i dont like saying about things sh but thats the way it is. Thats the way thats what we have. You look over the world, its all over the world. And it tends to do that. The governors are working very, very hard, and we are supporting them 100 . Everything they need, they get. And we are taking good care. We have tremendous supplies and a great supply chain, whether its ventilators or gowns or just about anything they need. So, thats a big difference from inheriting very, very empty cupboards. The median age of those who succumb to the china virus is 78 years old. Roughly half of all deaths have been individuals in Nursing Homes or longterm care. In one study, 90 of those hospitalized had underlying medical conditions, whether its heart or diabetes. But usually its some kind of a condition. It seems that people have that. And if they do, its a problem, no question about it. Young adults may often have mild or even no symptoms. They wont even know theyre sick. They wont have any idea that they have a virus. They wont have any idea at all. Americas youth will act responsibly and were asking everybody that when you are not able to socially distance, wear a mask. Get a mask. Whether you like the mask or not, they have an impact. Theyll have an effect, and we need everything we can get. Data shows children have the lowest fatality risk. 99. 96 of all virus fatalities are in adults. Think of that. So, thats much, much, much less than 1 for children, young people. By understanding these risk profiles and learning how to treat the disease, weve been able to greatly reduce the mortality in the United States. In fact, well show you a chart and how well we do compared to the rest of the world. We have several treatments available that significantly reduce the severity and duration of the disease including remdesivir which has been very successful and widely available treatment. And we have many more happening and coming out. Weve learned best practices for treatment of the virus at every stage and have shared these findings with medical providers. And weve shared them all over the world. The relationship with other countries has been very strong. Were all working together. This includes ensuring all hospitals are aware of the importance of different approaches to oxygen treatment, including high flow oxygen, the importance of steroid treatment for those on ventilators. And when youre on a ventilators, weve learned tremendous use about the use of the ventilator and at the beginning people never had an experience like this where we needed so many ventilators so fast and even the use of the ventilators. But the doctors have become incredibly and nurses and helpers and vena cava incredibly look at the use of the ventilator which is actually a very complicated procedure. And allocating remdesivir to hospitals, based on new admissions in hospitalization. Thats something theyve started. Theyre using it much earlier. Fatalities nationwide have fallen, 75 since april. Thats a great number. As cases and fatalities rise in certain hard hit states, were surging personnel, supplies, and therapeutics. We again have tremendous amount of supply. We are in very good shape and we can move them quickly. Our case fatality rate has continued to decline and is lower than the European Union and almost anywhere else in the world. If you watch american television, you would think that the United States was the only country involved with and suffering from the china virus. Well, the world is suffering very badly, but the fact is that many countries are suffering very, very, very badly. And theyve been suffering from this virus for a long time. Weve done much better than most. And with the fatality rate at a lower rate than most, its something that we can talk about, but were working, again, with them because were helping a lot of countries that people dont even know about. I get calls all the time asking for help, especially as it pertains to the ventilators. They need help with ventilators. They have to get them. Theyre very hard to get. Were making thousands now a month, thousands of ventilators a month. Its been quite amazing. We keep doing the good job, and things will get better and better. Well be putting up charts behind me showing different statistics and different rates of success. And i guess you could say also things we can do better on. But youll see them. Theyll be put up as we go. In april, the average age of individuals who tested positive for the virus was over 50 years old. Today the average age is significantly younger. Hospital lengths of stay are almost half of what they were in april. So, the stays are about half. The rate of cases requiring hospitalization has been reduced, and mortality among those admitted to the hospital is nearly onehalf of what it was in april. Weve learned a lot. Weve learned a lot about this disease, how to handle it. The doctors have learned a lot not only in the use of the ventilators but in many other things. And things are happening too like the remdesivir and other elements, steroids, et cetera. But these trends could change without our continued and relentless focus. Thats what we have. We have a relentless focus, and its been that way from the beginning. But we have learned so much. As you know, in recent weeks weve seen a concerning rise in the cases in many parts of our south. You look at south, southwest and west, this growth in cases first began to appear in midjune, primarily among 18 to 35 year olds, many of whom were asymptomatic. Were also facing the challenge of a significant spike in virus cases across the rest of the western hemisphere including mexico. Mexico has been hit very, very, very hard. As you know, the president , a great gentleman, was here two weeks ago and they have really been hit hard. Because weve achieved four fold increased Testing Capacity in two months, were successfully identified for symptomatic and mild cases, some cases so mild you really dont even treat them. Some cases with children where they dont even know that theyre ill. And i guess theyre not very ill because they recover almost immediately. Per capita, the u. S. Is conducting 50 more tests than europe. Weve conducted nearly three times as many tests as all of the countries in the western hemisphere combined. Itll be over 50 million tests. This allows us to isolate those who are infected, even those without symptoms so we know exactly where its going and with when its going to be there. Were also working to reduce turn around time. My administration has been aggressively responding to case growth in the sun belt, and we continue to do so working very close with all governors. But right now in particular those governors. Were coordinating closely with hospitals and governors. In the last three weeks ive sent senior officials into nine states to meet with governors and provide recommendations to the various leaders of the state including hospital administrators, et cetera. My Administration Currently has zero unfilled requests for unfulfilled requests for equipment or anything else that they need from the governors. No governor needs anything right now, and we think well have it that way until the end because, frankly, we are stocked up and ready to go wherever we have to go. We have nearly 7,000 National Guard and medical personnel in texas, california, florida and arizona thats helping us greatly. I want to thank them very much. The militarys been fantastic. Were closely monitoring Hospital Capacity in these states. Hospitals are open for elective surgeries and other procedures. So, hospitals are open for elective surgeries. We want americans to get the medical treatments they need. All of the governors weve spoken with say they have enough bed capacity. Thats a great thing. Our initial shutdown was to prevent the overflow of our hospitals and to allow us to meet the demands caused by this global pandemic, including the ventilators. And a permanent shutdown was really never an option in terms of what were doing right now. This would be completely unsustainable, produce debilitating economic fallback and lead to catastrophic Public Health consequences. There are consequences to shutdowns, and weve saved potentially millions of lives by doing the initial shutdown, but now were very aware of this disease. We understand the disease to a large extent. Nobodys going to maybe ever fully understand it. But well end up with a cure. Well end up with therapeutics. Well end up with a vaccine very soon, all three. Were, instead, asking americans to use masks, socially distance, and employ vigorous hygiene, wash your hands every chance you get while sheltering highrisk populations. We are imploring Young Americans to avoid packed bars and other crowded indoor gatherings. Be safe and be smart. Were surging Testing Capacity to identify and isolate cases. This includes a newly improved platform to Nursing Homes across the south who are being vigilant with respect to Nursing Homes because you know the problems weve had with so many people so sadly. They were infected. So, that all of the staff and ren residents can be routinely tested and isolated to ensure the elderly are more protected than anyone else. Thats really the highrisk people, the highrisk, wonderful people. Once this current surge in cases declines, the same platform will enable people to visit their loved ones after taking a test which is a big difference. Ultimately our goal is not merely to manage the pandemic but to end it. We want to get rid of it as soon as we can. That is why getting a vaccine remains a top priority. Two vaccine candidates are entering the final stage of Clinical Trials this month. This was achieved in record time. It used to be years before you were in a position like we are right now. Four other vaccines were led to final trials in the following weeks and were mass producing all the top candidates so the first approved vaccine will be available immediately. And logistically we have the military ready to go. We have great people, logistic military people, a wonderful general whos waiting for the vaccine so they can distribute it in record time. Thats whats going to happen. So, our military is also set to go. We will deliver a vaccine, therapeutics, whatever it is is necessary and defeat the virus once and for all. And ill take a few questions if you would like. I will say this. I want to thank all of the staff, the white house staff, all of the doctors that weve been working with so closely and just a lot of very positive things are happening. Its a nasty, horrible disease that should have never been allowed to escape china, but it did, and it infected the world, and the world is suffering. But were going to get it taken care of and were helping lots of other countries. John. Mr. President , first i just wanted to get clarification. Your press secretary said today that you sometimes take more than one test a day. Why is that . And how often . I didnt know about more than one. I do take probably on average a test every two days, three days, and i dont know of any time ive taken two tests in one day. But i could see that happening. So, republicans and democrats on capitol hill both said they want to see more money for testing. They want to send billions of dollars to the states so they can do more testing. You probably saw mick mulvaney, it took a week to get test results back. He said this is simply inexcusable given where we are in the pandemic. Do you think we have a problem with testing in this country right now and are you in favor of more money for testing . Weve done more testing than anybody. Some tests aric request, theyre five minutes and 15 minute tests. Those are the ones i prefer. Were doing massive numbers and the numbers are coming down. As we go, as an example, there are thousands and thousands of kits being made right now which give you a 15minute and a 5minute test. So, well be able to get those numbers down. Those numbers are similar in other places. Theyre also doing massive numbers, numbers like nobody thought possible. But those numbers will be coming down. I agreechlt i think its a good thing. Were you in favor of more testing . Theyre going to make a presentation tonight and tomorrow on that. And again were leading the world i think the second cub tricep were going to be over 50 million tests. Second country is india with 12 million. Then you have 7 million, 6 million and 4 million. I think that we are doing tremendous amount of testing. But if the doctors and the professionals feel that even though were at a level that nobody ever dreamt possible, that they would like to do more, im okay with it. Why are your doctors not here today . Dr. Fauci, dr. Birx . Dr. Birx is right outside . Yes . Number one, i just wanted to know, in november do you want the American People to judge you could you speak up, please . Do you want the American People to judge you on the ballot in november by how you handled the pandemic so far . This among other things. I think the American People will judge us on this. But theyll judge us on the economy that i created and already were creating. Were setting record job numbers, as you know. I think were going to have a strong year next year. I think were going to have a very strong third quarter, a very good fourth quarter. I think next year is going to be a record year and i think theyre going to judge me on that. I think theyre going to judge me on the tax cutting and the regulation cutting which nobodys ever been able to do on the extent, on rebuilding the military, on how weve handled the va. We got veterans choice. Nobody thought that was possible. Its been many decades theyve been trying to get veterans choice. Its called choice. Where they can go get a doctor. Frankly thats been a great thing. Veterans accountability. I think theyll judge me on that. Theyll judge me on all the things weve done. I think we can say this its never even been challenged in the first three and a half years, the first years of a presidency i dont think any administration, any president , has accomplished so much as weve accomplished from energy to health to so many other things. And then this came in, and the plague i call it the plague. The plague came in, terrible thing. Should have been stopped, wasnt stopped. It came in. We had to shut things down to save potentially millions of liv lives. We did that. And now weve started them up. And i think weve started it up very successfully. Thank you, mr. President. Youve been saying for months the virus would simply disappear, and now youre saying that its likely to get worse before it gets better. If it does keep getting worse, if americans keep dying, are you responsible for this . Well, the virus will disappear. It will disappear. I think that i always like to say, you know, either way when you look at it t governors are working with me, im working with the governor, were working hand in hand. I think were all responsible. I view it as a team. Very good relationships with the governors. Very, very good relationships. I could say im fully responsible, but, you know, one day we had a virus come in and i closed the borders, did a lot of things that were very good. In fact dr. Fauci said we saved tens of thousands of lives when we closed the border. Nobody wanted to do it. I want to do it. We closed the border to china. We put on the ban. We didnt want people coming in from heavily infected china. Fairly shortly thereafter i closed the borders coming in from europe. Those were tremendous moves. We would have if its one person, its too much. Lets say 140,000. We could have double, triple, quadruple that if we didnt. We did a lot of things right. We did a lot of things right, including with equipment. Its a shame it happened. It shouldnt have happened. China should have stopped it. Thank you, president trump. If i could, two questions. My first question is we have very quick testing platform here at the white house. Yes. Its great. You get tested. You know very quickly. Do you think that it would be easier to reopen and restart businesses if we could produce more of those . Were trying to do that. Great question. Were trying very much to do that. So, rather than sending the tests in and goes through the mail one day, comes back another day, no matter how they send them, its a day and a day. So, thats two days already wasted. And then if it spins, by the time you get it back, its three or four days if they do an efficient job. Were trying to get the testing on site. I like it the best. And my second question is a little bit different topic but one that a lot of people are talking about. Ghislaine maxwell is in prison, so a lot of people want to know if shes going to turn in powerful people. I know you talked in the past about Prince Andrew and criticized bill clintons behavior, im wondering do you feel shes going to turn in powerful men . How do you see that working out . I dont know. I havent really been following it too much. I wish her well, frankly. Ive met her numerous times over the years especially since i lived in palm beach and they lived in palm beach. I wish her well whatever it is. I dont know the situation with Prince Andrew, just dont know. Not aware of it. On unemployment insurance, how much below 600 are you willing to go. You say the economy is bouncing back strong, so why do we need to cut it at all . The economy is getting stronger and we have a chance to have a very strong economy. We want to have people go back and want to go back to work as opposed to be sort of forced the into a position where theyre making more money than they expected to make and the employers are having a hard time getting them back to wosh. Work. So, that was a decision that was made. I was against that original decision. But they did that. It still worked out well because it gave people a lifeline, a real lifeline. Now were doing it again. Theyre thinking about doing 70 of the amount, the amount would be the same but in smaller initial amounts so that people are going to want to go back to work as opposed to making so much money that they really dont have to. But we were very generous with them. I think that its been a tremendously successful program. The whole thing has been successful if you look. Were in a pandemic and yet were producing tremendous number of jobs. That was something that nobody thought possible. Is. Mr. President , yesterday you said wearing a mask is an act of patriotism. Why dont you do it more frequently . I do it when i need. I carry the mask. When i went into Walter Reed Hospital the other day. I have the mask right here. I carry it. And i will use it gladly. No problem with it. Ive said that. I say if you can use the mask, when you can, use the mask. If youre close to each other, if youre in a group, i would put it on. When im in a group, if im in an elevator and there are other people with me including security people, its not their fault. They have to be in the elevator. I want to protect them also. I put on a mask. I have no problem with a mask. I view it this way. Anything that potentially can help and certainly can potentially help is a good thing. I have no problem. I carry it. I wear it. You saw me wearing it a number of times and ill continue, please. Are you sending this message. Yesterday you tweeted out an image of you wearing a mask and then we saw you not wearing a mask at your hotel. I dont know at the hotel, i was pretty far away from people. Ive explained very well. If youre close together, i would put on the mask and if youre not, i would say that if youre here youve all been tested. Ive been tested. Often times ill be with people that are fully tested, ive been tested, in theory you dont need the mask. Im getting used to the mask. The reason is think about patriotism. Maybe it is. It helps. It helps. We have experts that have said in the recent past that masks arent yesly good to wear, you know that. But now theyve changed their mind. If they change their mind, thats good enough for me. So, i wear it when appropriate. Why americans are surprised at your change of tone over all of this, a realistic tone, a sudden embrace of masks action social distancing. Ive always agreed with that. I never fought either one, but certainly social distancing. I want thats common sense. Six feet to me is common sense. I would like to say maybe make it a little bit further. The idea that things will get worse perhaps before they get better here and perhaps the realization that this resurgence, if you will, is for real when you used to talk about it in terms of little fires being put out here and there. We have embers and fires and we have big fires and unfortunately now florida is in a little tough or in a big tough position. You have a great governor there. You have a great governor in texas. You have people that are very, very skilled people, and i think theyre going to handle it very well. Their hospital capacities are holding up. Texas is a big state and its very wellrun and so is florida and i think theyll do a good job. I want to ask you about vaccines. Yesterday a study by a Chinese Company showed promising results. If china were first to develop the vaccine, would the Administration Work with china to bring a successful chinese vaccine to the u. S. . Were willing to work with anybody thats going to get us a good result. Were very close to the vaccine. I think were going to have some very good results. Were already in testing. Nobody thought that would be possible. Under the old system it would be a year to two years before you could think about using the word testing. So, i think weve had a lot of the reason were testing, theyve had good results. Now we have to see testing also for safety because they have to make sure its safe. And i think youre going to see something over the next fairly short period of time, maybe very short period of time having to do with therapeutics and vaccines that are very good. So, well be doing these quite often. Were going to keep you abreast of this. And well talk about other topics like our economy which is doing well. The stock market had another good day. I think they had a good day because they see a lot of positive things happening on this front too. Thank you very much. Thank you. [ inaudible question ] tonight on American History tv, our series on landmark cases produced in cooperation with the National Constitution center. We explore the issues, people and places involved in some of the most Significant Supreme Court cases in our nations history. We begin at 8 00 eastern with mcculloch v maryland. Then at 9 30, the civil rights cases of 1883. This decision struck down the Civil Rights Act of 1875, a federal law that granted all people access to public accommodations like trains and theaters regardless of race. Watch landmark cases tonight on cspan3 and any time at cspan. Org. U. S. Attorney general william barr appears before the house judiciary committees general oversight hearing on the justice department. On july 28th, watch live coverage on cspan, any time on cspan. Org, or listen on the go with the cspan radio app. Maryland governor larry