But its not coming just yet. So we do have an edition of the beat lined up for you tonight. I am ari melber anchoring. Here is the context right now. 6. 6 million more people filed for unemployment in america today. If youre count, and many of us are, many People Living through this aspect of the adversity of this pandemic, the threeweek total is now 17 Million People, the Unemployment Rate has shot up to 13 . We are now officially living through the worst Economic Times as measured since the great depression. Meanwhile, the United States senate has failed to reach a deal to approve a new type of Coronavirus Relief bill. Leaders mcconnell and schumer accusing each other of basically making this political as the recess plays out and there is preparation to try to deal with the overhang and the economic problems. We also have an update on the nature of the coronavirus around the country, including the problems in new york, which remains the epicenter. But i want to bring in, as we so often do, the experts first. We have dr. Peter hotas here. Im joined by euGene Robinson, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the Washington Post. Good day to both of you, although again another tough day. We want to conquer some of the Economic Indicators and the Health Indicators with both of you. Doctor, lets begin with where were at in the United States. The new york death toll worse today annie other day while the hospitalization rate slows. What does that mean for trying to understand where were headed . Well, i think now were probably reaching crunch time, meaning the peak of the epidemic in the United States over the next few days, according to some of the models, including what weve been hearing about the institute for Health Metrics model at the university of washington. And the really troublesome number is we may be at the point where covid19 is about to become or will shortly the leading cause of death in the United States. And you mentioned new york is the epicenter, and thats true. But were also seeing horrible situations unfolding in detroit, in chicago, in new orleans. So this is the peak period. It will be delayed in some other parts of the country, including here in texas were awaiting probably another week to ten days before it peaks. But this is going to be the toughest time for our nation right now. Doctor, when you say this is going to be the leading cause of death, walk us through what that means, how thats different. Well. Historically the leading cause of death has always been Heart Disease and cancer, and that roughly kills on a given day 1600, 1700 americans. And the number of deaths from covid19 is now poised to exceed that, at least for the next potentially couple of weeks. Now, of course, a lot of those deaths are occurring in people with underlying Heart Disease and hypertension and diabetes. And weve seen that as a risk factor. Sure. And then the devastating news in the southern part of our country especially is the high rates of diabetes and hypertension, renal disease among the African American community and the hispanic communities and the native american community, which not many people are talking about. But these are big risk factors so that the deaths im worried will disproportionately occur among underrepresented minorities. Imagine what its like to practice social distancing in some of the crowded urban areas of these cities. So they get these populations get it twice. One, they even though theyre told to do social distancing, sometimes its impossible because of the crowded conditions they live in. Theyre household was large numbers of individuals. And then the underlying conditions. And this is something weve been seeing unfolding for the last few weeks. Its so incredibly tragic. You mentioned several things there id like to draw you out on. One, the fact that the guidance may sound uniform, but its not always neutral, because distancing is harder if you are in, for example, dense section 8 housing where a lot of people live together and live throughout the building. Number two, you mention the racial disparities. Thats something that mayor de blasio is speaking about today, that weve seen numbers now, new numbers that latinos and African Americans are twice as likely to die from the virus than others. And third, youre talking about the overall way this is, although everyone has been living through it and probably pretty aware of it. This is now the largest cause of death. This is different fundamentally from where we were. For your analysis, take a listen to dr. Fauci today. I believe we are going to see a downturn in that, and it looks more like the 60,000 than the 100,000 to 200,000. But having said that, we better be careful that we dont say okay, were doing so well, we can pull back. We still have to put our foot on the accelerator when it comes to the mitigation and the physical separation. Where does that fit in, the idea that there is some progress, but as you just walked us through, the negatives counsel a lot more caution. So dr. Fauci has been a mentor to me for 40 years, and like he always is, he is absolutely right. And now is not the time to take your foot off the gas pedal because i think of it almost like the eye of a hurricane. You know that were reaching the worst part of this storm right now. Were soon going to be through the eye of the hurricane. But guess what . We have a lot more to come in the next few weeks. This is the big peak that were going to be seeing that will probably go on to the middle of may. And we can have a discussion. There, do we let things up now towards the end of april, or do we keep pushing . Thats question one. And then question two is we have an increasing idea that this will not be the last we see of this virus. This virus may come back in several waves over the next two or three 18 flu pandemic, we ca it 1918. But when Woodrow Wilson got very sick at the treaty of versailles, it was 1919, and that pandemic went to 1920. So we saw a threeyear pandemic. It doesnt mean were going to be living like this for the next three years. It could mean potentially a waxing and waning course. And were going have to figure out as nation how we manage that at multiple different levels. Makes a lot of sense. Gene robinson, your views on basically all the above. You know, the doctor is the expert. This is look, you look at these daily death totals, and theyre just horrific. I think first we have to think about those numbers represent individual lives. People, yes, many older people who have preexisting conditions, but also individuals who are younger. Every life a valuable life. Every person loved by friends and family. And this is this is going to be a time of mourning for this country, as we accumulate and then realize the toll that covid19 is taking here. One of the things i worry about, again, not an epidemiologist, but i look at maps and the studies and the data, and you see Little Pockets in small town and Rural Communities that are sort of the per capita infection rate, as far as we know is disturbingly high. And i worry about a wave of covid sweeping small town and Rural America in spotted places across the country after the wave in the urban areas dies down. Sure. I wonder if were prepared for that. And i worry that were kind of flying blind, that we havent done enough surveillance testing, enough testing at all to really know where we stand in terms of infection nationwide and therefore we dont know where its coming next. And that worries me a lot. All that makes a lot of sense, gene. I want to play for you. There are so many different pockets of reporting, and we want to hear from real people. Here is a nurse walking through, really overlapping with part of your concern, what were going through as an entire nation right now. Take a listen. We think all the time not only about our patients that we have inside the walls of our hospital, but, you know, we have families. And our kids are home from school, and our neighbors are laid off work or our spouses or our parents. Weve had colleagues whose who have had family members or friends who have been taken away from them by this horrible disease. This hits home for us. I mean, gene, its part of where words escape us, because how do you even account for and yet this is the work of your newspaper, the post. Its what we do every day. How do we account for the nature of how many aspects of American Life are so fundamentally changed and how many people, even those who may have quote unquote locked out by not getting the virus but lost their job and are thinking about rent and all the other things that add to what were living through. And were at the front end of it. Its so big, ari, there is no one story you could write that could encompass at all at the Washington Post. Of course, we come at it from 50, 100 different angles every day, literally, as does msnbc, as do all the news organizations. And yet if i have the sense, and i think im right, that were really not capturing everything about it. There is an amazing story on our website now written by a young man who got covid19 who was doing fine and then became very ill, had difficulty breathing, had to be hospitalized, had to be put on a ventilator, came off the ventilator, but he writes about the ramifications for him and for his health of that. He survived. Very obviously happy about that. But it took a physical toll on him. And hes now he writes that when he takes a shower, he cant for the whole shower. He has to sit for part of it. He cant walk around the block yet. And hopefully hell regain some of, you know, all of these capabilities. But i think we havent yet paid a lot of attention to the kinds of experiences that survivors of covid19 are going through. This is a very, very tough disease for a lot of people. For some people, its literally nothing at all. And for other people, this is a lifechanging experience, even if they went through. Yeah, definitely. Stay with me. My colleague chuck todd also rejoining our special coverage as we keep an eye on washington, the white house, the briefing. Chuck, thanks for popping back in. I wanted to turn with you to how washington is trying to deal with this economic crash, this surge in unemployment. Take a listen briefly to Jerome Powell today. We need to have a plan nationally for reopening the economy. We all want it to happen as quickly as possible. We all want to avoid a false start where we partially reopen and that results in a spike in coronavirus cases, and then we have to go back again to go to square one. We all want to avoid that. And, chuck, you of course covered the financial crash, which occurred during a president ial campaign. It did shape that. In the longterm i think the Obama Campaign saw it as something they benefitted from, although they didnt wish it on anyone. Walk us through the fact that even apart from the virus, if we were living through Unemployment Rates rivaling the great depression, that would be the biggest thing in the world alone right now. It would be. Look, jay powell, thats an important point he just made when he said we cant have a false start. Meaning you open up too soon and you have to pull back. What he is basically saying is the markets will panic if you do that. That could be worse for the economy if you do that. What im curious about is whether jay powells view makes its way into the president s advice circle of advisers there, because you do get the sense that the president is getting antsy. Some republican allies of his on capitol hill are getting antsy. Some leaders of industry are getting antsy. And that tension there i think is fraught with in some ways jay powell is making a political warning, saying a false start, a false opening here could be devastating. And so, look, the fact of the matter is i am convinced, and we dont know what now to october is going to look like. But come october, this is going to be a very simple campaign. Who do you want to manage the recovery. Team biden or team trump, right . And team biden may call it Team Obama Biden or team trump. I think in that sense its a very simple equation. The question is the actions that everybody takes thats in power right now, from congress to the presidency what they do between now and october will shape what position theyre in come october. Because, look, you can survive high Unemployment Rates and win election or reelection. Ask president obama. But only if youve won the argument that youre the one best able to manage going forward. Thats the argument obama won over romney when he won in the face of mediocre economic numbers. Because he won that argument. Thats what the argument is going to become october. Right. And that makes a lot of sense. You look at whats happening in the congress. On the one hand, you know, they have done more and spent more in a short time than we have seen for years. And there is obviously good reason for that. It shows that however broken the congress is, it can still do big bipartisan things with a proverbial gun to its head in the country. But now were see, of course, what looks like some sliding or at least some difficult on the road ahead. Walk us through what you think is important there in todays news, and what happens when they come back. Well, look, i dont think its a good sign that the four leaders on capitol hill dont at all seem to Work Together very well. Its very difficult than what you saw after 9 11 when the four leader, two on each side, were able to come to compromise agreement, were able to sort of function as an Institution First and as partisan second. Look, thats not the case. And i can sit here and say its this persons fault, that persons fault. This is the environment we live in where it seems as if you cant get caught working with the other side. Sometimes if you somehow agree with somebody on the other side to do something, you might actually pay a bigger price with some parts of your little base. So maybe that has an impact. But i tell you, i think there is a penalty to be paid, ari, if Congress Dithers here a little bit, if they sit here. I dont think the public has any patience other than the hard partisans on either side, has any patience for that congressional back and forth. And i think if either party is caught looking like theyre playing politics, look at whats happened to Kelly Loeffler down in georgia. And i single her out, not to pile on her political problems, but she is the senator that sold some stock. It is her numbers have collapsed inside the republican primary down there in georgia that just shows you how lethal it is if even a whiff, if youre playing a whiff of politics with this pandemic. And thats why im surprised by todays actions. You put it really well, and you remind everyone amidst all these other stories you have, all the allegations could be litigated, investigated about whether people were using information, public or not to get a personal benefit. And then stack that against what we have been reporting all day, all month, the pain people are living through. And as you say, zero tolerance for that, which makes sense among a lot of the evidence for voters. We havent even sent out the checks yet. Wait until people start if they dont get their checks, wait until that heat comes at them. Right. Theyre checks that congress and Steve Mnuchin said hey, its coming. Youre going get it. Well, the proof of that, the checks in the mail. Not something you want to be on the wrong side of, certainly. Chuck todd thanks for sticking around extra today as we await the briefing to begin. Priit you. When we come back, Something Special weve been reporting on. Its new reporting to show you exactly whats happening in the field. Put the briefing aside. Put the politicians aside. New reporting to what were learning from people on the frontlines, when we come back. Because heart and Kidney Disease shouldnt prevent you from pushing your limits. 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Xfinity xfi can because its. Simple, easy, awesome. [ barking ] health care and emergency workers are among the topics that may be discussed today. Youre looking at a live shot of the white house. 6 22 eastern. As a news viewer, this is far later than the briefing usually gets under way. Were seeing some of the folks stepping out. Youre seeing dr. Fauci walking into the room, taking his place on the side. Were going to keep an eye on the briefing. The timing to begin has been pushed back. I want to bring in some of our experts here as we keep an eye on everything, including doctors hotez and dr. Gupta. I believe chuck todd is also with me as we continue to await the start of the briefing, with a lot of folks here. I want to start with dr. Gupta and ask you pointblank before the briefing begin, whats important for people to keep in mind when they do listen to these government briefings . Particularly as weve been getting new reports today about potential peaking and a high death toll in new york. Thank you very much, everybody. Id like to begin by saying we just completed a meeting with the secretary of treasury Steve Mnuchin and secretary of transportation elaine chao on proposals regarding the airlines and the Airline Business, and were working very closely with a lot of different people. Well be probably putting out a proposal and giving them some of the details, some of the very powerful details over the weekend. Its moving along quickly. The Airline Business has been hit very hard, as everybody knows. And we are going to be in a position to do a lot to help them so that they keep their employees and they save their businesses. And that will be taking place i think you can say over the weekend. We may even have discussions with some of the airlines or all of the airlines over the weekend. And i think its going to be a very acceptable package. Its a very big package, and a very acceptable package. It will be good for our country, good for the airlines. Good for a lot of people. Likewise, i just spoke with the president of russia, vladimir putin, and the king of saudi arabia, king solomon, and we had a big talk as to Oil Production and opec and making it so that our industry does well and the oil industry does better than its doing right now. Its the numbers are so low that there will be layoffs all over the world there will certainly be layoffs in this country. And we dont want that to happen. Weve built a great, great Energy Business in the United States. So we have tens of thousands of jobs. We had a very good talk. Well see what happens. But as you know, opec met today, and i would say theyre getting close to a deal. Well soon find out. So that was a conversation we just had. So we had a busy hour and a half. And let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the American People. Millions of americans are making profound and difficult sacrifices in their own lives because they know it will save the lives of countless others. And thats exactly whats it doing. You see its happening and where we are, where we stand, and hopefully were going to be opening up. Opening very, very very, very soon, i hope. Together our people are writing one of the most noble chapters in the proud history of our nation. Americans are also encouraged to learn that boris johnson, prime minister, has been moved out of intensive care. Thats a tremendous statement. And we continue to pray for him and his fast recovery. Thats a very positive development. As the new york metropolitan area continues its battle against the outbreak, the full power of the federal government is there to support them. As you know, the Javits Center has now been fully converted into a 3,000 bed hospital, one of the largest anywhere in the country. And by the incredible professionals. I have to say the corps of engineers, what they can do is just incredible. Theyve done a fantastic job, and theyre building nationwide 21 temporary hospitals and care facilities, adding 17,000 hospital beds. And they did that all within a very short period of time. Its incredible what theyve done. Army corps of engineers. And fema has been fantastic. Our sweeping airlift operation to keep doctors and nurses supplied with protective equipment, project air bridge continues to expand with more than 24 flights already completed and 49 additional flights now scheduled in the near future. So thats been very successful in that gear, and those outfits are being handed out. As they arrive, theyre going directly to point. The American Medical System continues to perform beyond our highest expectations, reminding us that the United States is blessed with the most advanced health care and the most Skilled Health care workers anywhere in the planet. Other countries are looking to what were doing and our testing operation has now become far and way the most sophisticated and the best anywhere. And we want to thank all of the heroes on the front lines as they fight to save american lives. Were the top of the hill. Pretty sure were at top of the hill, and now were going downward in some cases weve already started that process. Earlier today, i spoke with hundreds of Mental Health leaders and advocates from around the country to discuss the vital work and the vital work theyre doing. We have the top doctors in the country, some international doctors. Mental health a big factor. Not only has the virus inflicted immense physical suffering on many people, but also mental and emotional suffering as well. Even though were staying physically apart, no american is alone. And were all in this together. But the Mental Health doctors and experts, its a very great call. It was a very interesting call. Theyre working very hard. Were also seeing encouraging signs in our race to develop break treatments. Pfizer revealed a promising new treatment that might prevent the virus from replicating, and it hopes to begin testing in Clinical Trials very soon. Its going to be very, very soon. They have great, great feelings for this particular therapy, and they think that a lot of good things are happening through the fdas coronavirus treatment acceleration program. 19 therapies and treatments are now being tested, and 26 more are in the active plan organize clinical trial. So we have 19 therapies being tested currently, and 26 more are in the active planning for Clinical Trials. Thats a big statement. Thats a lot. Trials for gileads antiviral drug remedesavir continue and the company has expanded emergency use for new patients getting good early results, by the way. The companies that manufacture hydroxychloroquine are massively ramping up production. As you know, many people are recommending strongly zpak be added. The zpak and also zinc, and the federal government continues to build our stockpiles and distribute millions of doses for doctors to use as they see fit. And im pleased to inform you were just having a lot of good things are happening. But well have to see how that all works out. But weve purchased and we have stockpiled millions and millions of doses, and were distributing. Some states want it very badly. Michigan, we just sent a lot to michigan and other areas. Im reporting today that we passed two million tests completed in the United States first time, most anywhere in the country. Its a milestone for our country. Its a milestone anywhere. Nobody has done anywhere close. Our tests are highly sophisticated and highly accurate. At the same time, were making an important progress on the economic front of this war. In a few moments, secretary of labor Eugene Scalia will explain new steps were taking to ensure American Workers swiftly receive unemployment and paid leave benefits, and that employers protect the health and safety of all worker, including essential workers on the job, working very, very closely with workers and with employers to provide for the economic relief, the Federal Reserve announced this morning that it will provide up to 2. 3 trillion in support to businesses, states, and local governments. 600 billion in loans will be available for midsized business was up to 10,000 employees and 500 billion will be available for states, counties with over two million residents and cities with a population of over 1 million. My administration is also working with congress to replenish is very successful, incredibly successful the way its going Paycheck Protection Program, which is allowing hundreds of thousands of Small Businesses to keep their workers on the payroll, meaning it will keep those businesses open. We need both democrats and republicans to come together to get this legislation completed, and it looks like its on its way. But we need both. And should it be for people that are working, for the workers. And if you look and you see we have a lot of people that are affected by that. And its a very positive development. So we have to get a bipartisan approval of that, and hopefully, that will happen today. The department of education is also announcing the availability of more than 6 billion in emergency Grant Funding to assist College Students impacted by the cancellation of classes and the suspension of housing. A lot of people had a lot of things suspended. Housing is one of them. Previously we waived student loan payments for six months. So student loan payments have been waived for six months. Well discuss it after that. May go further. Although this medical war separated our citizens, for a period of time, its also united our entire nation. I think i can say, like almost never before, americans are moving forward with common purpose and shared resolve, determined to vanquish the virus and lift our nation to even greater heights. We are supremely confident in the magnificent future that awaits the American People. And with that, before i invite our Vice President , our great Vice President and gene scalia to speak, well take a few questions, and then im going back into negotiations on oil and on airlines. Yeah, please . Conversation with president putt sin. I had a very good conversation. Did you organize that call and did they understand the problems theyre causing with the oil output situation . Yeah, yeah. There is so much production, nobody even knows what to do with it. Thats how its working. And saudi arabia and as you know russia its wellknown that were producing a lot, and they were perhaps fighting with each other over the production and the amount of oil being produced. And frankly, there is not enough room to even store it. Our storage is now full. Going to be very soon our Strategic National storage is this is a great time to fill it up, load it up with oil that frankly is at pricing that nobody has ever seen before. I dont think weve seen this probably since the 1950s. That was with big dollars. So well see what happens. The conversation was very good. Theyre getting close to a deal. Thats opec and many other countries outside of opec. And well see what happens. Are they still fighting . No, i think they were getting along very well. We had a very good call. I think it was a very good call. Were going to see what happens, but it was a very good call. Theyll probably announce something today or tomorrow, one way or the other. It could be good or not so good. Go ahead, jim. How could the administration discuss the possibility of reopening the country when the administration does not have an adequate nationwide testing system for this virus . Dont you need a nationwide testing system for the virus. No. Before you reopen . We have a great testing system. Right now the best testing system in the world. But people cant get tests right now. There are certain sections in the country that are in phenomenal shape already. Other sections are coming on line. Other sections are going down. And we in addition to that are giving out millions of tests and every day were doing it exponentially were picking up. And what well be doing in the very near future is going the certain areas of our country and do massive testing. Its not necessary, but it would be a good thing to have. Dont you need that, mr. President , to make sure people are safe going back to work . You dont want to send people back to the workplace. We want to have it and were going see if we visit. Do you need it . No. Is it nice thing to have . Yes. Were talking 325 Million People, and thats not going to happen, as you can imagine. It would never happen with anyone else either. Other countries do it, but they do it in a limited form. Well probably be the leader of the pack. Please . What do you say to the 16 million americans, more than 16 million americans who have lost their jobs the last three weeks and fear that the economy wont just bounce back like you said . Well, i think the economy is going to do very well. Thats just my feeling. Its a strong feeling. Ive had good proper feelings about a lot of things over the years, and i think were going to do well. Were doing very it looks like were at the lower end of the curve in terms of death, which is a terrible word, a terrible dark word weve experienced like nobody has ever seen before in this country. We have numbers that are terrible. But when you look at the lower levels of 100, lower prediction levels of 100, 120,000 to 220,000, or if we did nothing, up to 2. 2 Million People, were looking at a much lower level than the level of i hope than the level of 100,000. So were going to see. Were going to have to you can never do anything about the people that lost their loved ones and lost their friends. I mean, the great friendships and im not sure a lot of people will ever be the same. But i think our country will end up being stronger than ever. We have tremendous stimulus. We have tremendous stimulus plans. We have things in the work that i think are going to fire the country. I think whats going to happen is we are going to have a big bounce rather than a small bounce. But we will be back, and i think honestly, i think our country is going to be back from an economic standpoint. Again, you can never replace the people that were lost. And to their families, certainly you can never do a thing like that. But we will have succeeded in many ways. Hopefully keeping the number way below our minimum numbers, and also from an economic standpoint. We met with the Mental Health people today. And that takes a this is taking a tremendous toll mentally on a lot of people. And i think were going to open up strong. I think were going to open up very successfully. And id like to say even more successfully than before. Please . Thank you, mr. President. Oil is trading today at about 23 a barrel in new york. What do you want to see it priced . 30, 40, 50 a barrel . I want to see ate certain mark, but i dont want to see where people have no idea. Were opening up well be opening up areas for storage of oil, massive areas for storage of oil, because oil today is not selling. And what happened is the virus knocked out 40 of the market immediate. You know that you know the number. 40 . Now there was a lot of oil, but it was very controllable. All of the sudden, they lost 40 . You look at the roads. You look at whats going on. There is nobody driving. There is no reason for it right now. That will start coming back. But we are storing millions of barrels of oil that nobody thought would be possible. Frankly, ships turned out to be a Good Business for some people, because theyre filling up tanker, sending them out to sea and not saying where to go. Theyre just sitting out there loaded up with oil. So we want to save our energy. In this country, we want to make sure that our energy companies, businesses, and employees, workers remain strong. So thats how im involved. And i think thats going happen. So right now, if you look, youre probably talking 23, 25. If they announce a deal we can get it up. We need a minimum number so the companies dont go out of business. So theyre not going to lay off all of these Energy Workers who are important to our country. And were now energy independent. We could do something where we only used our oil. But i think the longterm benefit is to be able to go with the market. And its going to work out. Its all going to work out. If you looked at three weeks ago, as you know we have been listening to the White House Coronavirus press briefing. It was slightly delayed. The president came out. He came out with experts. Right now he is speaking about oil. And we are going to do a fact check on some of the medical claims and we may dip back into the briefing, particularly if we hear from other medical experts. I want to bring in dr. Peter hotez standing by, listening to this briefing. I also have Gene Robinson of the Washington Post with me. Dr. Hotez, one of the medical claims that was made, this is held out as Daily Briefing to deal with the coronavirus. Other issues can come up. The president was just speaking about a call he was on with foreign heads of state. But on the virus, the president just claimed the United States has the, quote, best testing in the world. Your response . Well, yes and no. You know, if by best he means the largest number of people tested, were probably getting there. Remember, we have the largest number of reported cases of covid19 in the world right now. Were getting up to half a Million People with covid19. So that means we are doing a lot of testing. Its certainly better than it was under the leadership of brett giroir who is assistant secretary of health and someone who i worked with for years and know him well. Things are certainly better. We also have a greater variety of tests coming from the various commercial firms, and now a rapid test. Were developing an antibody test. So things are better. Here is the problem. The problem is its still not adequate to manage this epidemic, because in places like houston, where we are still finding out about this epidemic when patients start showing up in the intensive care unit, which is not so the numbers let me ask you this, sir, what i want to get at, though, to be clear for viewers is there is the information provided and then there is the claims made where the president may be playing a more promotional role. So for people to understand, when you just simply look at the fax of all the countries in the world and those who had the earliest testing, the widest amount of testing, and testing in a way to try to slow the spread of the virus, would you say the United States is number one in that entire allotment or not . Well, you know, we clearly were not on top of this epidemic like korea was, which geared up testing right away. And this has been well reported that the u. S. Has had a lag. So we are clearly improving, but we still have the situation where i said where were finding out about this epidemic in your city where patients start showing up in the intensive care unit. Thats not satisfactory. Thats not when you want to first find out. This is what weve seen play out in new orleans and detroit, and were starting to see a bit of that in houston, especially in cities with large underserved populations where its hard to do that testing in poor areas. So weve got to figure out a new game plan. You know, ive been talking about whats called syndromic surveillance where we do these sentinel areas where we find people having increased frequency of fever and shortness of breath and use that as a better telltale sign. Heres whats going to happen. I think we eventually will get up to full speed as this epidemic starts to wane in the coming weeks, but then hopefully well have it in place in time for if and when this virus returns over the next two or three years. Thats kind of the situation i think were going to see playing out. Understood. And thank you, doctor. Stay with me. Gene robinson, i wanted to get your response as well. This is one of those days where the president has taken the allotted virus briefing time, and he is doing other things with it, and he of course was mentioning things that may matter to people, the conversations with the leaders of russia and saudi arabia, oil negotiations. But, again, it seems to be creeping away from giving the country a factual update on the briefing response, on the virus response. Skuchlt. Right. We really have learned very little so far about where we have where we have progressed on this epidemic from yesterday to today, which theoretically would be the point of these briefings. I did note that the president is once again optimistically talking about when its time to reopen the country and thats going to be soon and of course we wont have a date, but thats going to be soon. And i you know, i think everybody wonders and worries about that. Of course, we would all like the country to be opened back up and everything to be safe. But everything has to be safe. And, you know, there was the concern that we were talking about before the briefings started that would it indeed spook the markets if we opened up too soon and then had a resurgence of the virus and then had to close everything back down again. One of the things i worry is, you know, i think the decision about when the country opens up is going to be made by the country and not by the president , and not really by the governors. Its going to be made by the individuals who have to decide when they feel safe going into crowds. And what kind of crowds they feel safe going into. And it is very difficult for me to imagine, you know, right now, some day it will be. But going to a baseball game. Going to an nba game, gathering in any sort of big crowd because right now you see a bunch of people, and you run the other way. Thats basically what you do. Thanks to both of my experts. We want to dip back into the briefing. The president seems to have taken a break from speaking. The Vice President pence, who is of course the leader of the Coronavirus Task force speaking. Lets listen to that part. And as President Trump just said, our hearts go out to the families that have lost loved ones. And i want to assure you that all of us working at every level understand these are not numbers. These are lives. And our heartfelt condolences during this heartbreaking week go out to every American Family thats lost a loved one to the coronavirus. It has been a difficult week. But as dr. Birx will reflect in just a few moments, as we look at the data, literally on a countybycounty basis every day, we continue to see evidence that in areas where the epidemic has impacted most, the Greater New York city area, louisiana, the detroit metro, the denver metro, we continue to see evidence of stabilization. And it appears, as dr. Birx suggests, we are close to the peak in each of those areas so impacted. We also express gratitude and appreciation for the people of california and Washington State who continue to be low and steady in the number of cases that are emerging there. Were watching the chicago metro area. Were watching the boston metro area. And as dr. Birx will discuss, we just continue to urge every american to put into practice the president s coronavirus guidelines, because all evidence indicates from the west coast to what were beginning to see in major outbreak areas on the east coast. Its working, america. And its working because youre doing it, and we encourage you onward in that. Today the White House Coronavirus task force met, but most of the team also met with republicans and democrats in two separate Conference Calls of the United States senate. Secretary mnuchin, our health experts, admiral palovcek as we discussed a broad range of issues. The secretary touched on the Paycheck Protection Program now in day five. Reporting 125 billion has been approved so far. 30,000 new individual users and 3900 lenders are participating. We also discussed that the Treasury Department will issue a new frequently asked question document tonight, an faq as theyre known, to clarify how seasonal businesses can participate in the Paycheck Protection Program as well. With regard to direct payments to americans, the treasury secretaryd senators, we assure every american we remain on a timetable where direct deposits and payments will go out by the end of next week. For a family of four, it will be 3,400 in direct Financial Support and will no doubt be welcome news. Anyone who is interested in Additional Information on fi of these programs can go to treasury. Gov or sva. Gov. Since we last spoke, i spoke with Governor Laura Kelly of kansas, governor andy bashir of kentucky, also spoke to governors of texas and rhode island. I assured each one of them as we continue to work through the process of making sure that we distribute the resources at the point of the need, is at President Trumps direction, our objective working through fema is to make sure that states have what they need when they need it. And to see the progress that we have made. The president just reflected on and new york and new jersey, louisiana and the partnership we forge with governors in those states. California and Washington State before. Most importantly, our dedicated Health Care Workers that we will be there to meet that need should that need arise. At the present moment, fema reports the president has approved 54 major disaster declarations, and tats around the country have stood up 29,000 national guard, 11,000 of which are fully funded by the federal government under title xxxii. Also speaking of our military, at the present moment we received a report today from the department of defense that 4,100 active duty military medical personnel have been deployed in new york, new jersey, and connecticut. And they are personnel that are working on the ground, at the javet center, working at the usns confident ship. But at the present moment, the utilization of both of those temporary facilities has been fairly modest. D. O. D. Worked with the city of morning to establish what amounts to a uniform temp service. They called it the bullpen. And today, they literally deployed from the ship and from the javet center 75 medical personnel to relieve dedicated Health Care Workers within the Hospital System in the city of new york and will continue to do that. Were going to make sure those federal temporary hospitals are fully staffed. Well make sure the usns comfort is staffed. But the physicians, those fill mare personnel are going to be deployed across the city to bring muchneeded relief to our Health Care Workers and our system. From the v. A. Stand point, we have opened up v. A. Facilities in new york city, east orange new jersey, detroit, michigan, and we are opening up the v. A. Facility to coronavirus patients in shreveport, louisiana. Finally, i mentioned that today we exceeded more than 2 million tests that had been performed across the country. And also literally working with the u. S. Public Health Service, states around the country have stood up hundreds of drivethrough testing sites. And just this week, fema and the u. S. Public Health Service announced that we will give an option to states to transition from a federal testing site, dozens of which have been assembled around the country to a state managed site. I want to emphasize that this is an option. We believe it gives states greater flexibility to style sites or manage sites in areas that they think are most important. But were also processing requests for continued federal participation in states from new jersey to louisiana to illinois, colorado and texas. And we want to assure people in communities across the country that well continue to partner with states to the extent that they prefer us to be a part of it. With regard to the air bridge, three flights were scheduled to arrive today in chicago and new york and dallasft. Worth. 49 flights are scheduled over the next three days. We continue to work supplies. We continue to literally leave no stone unturned around america and the world. Were literally in the process of acquiring tens of millions of supplies that are being brought into a Distribution System organized out of fema and focused on the areas most in need. Were also bringing real innovation. At the White House Coronavirus task force today, we tasked the fda and cms to review the feasibility of allowing hospital workers to use cloth gowns for performing procedures. It was observed that 20 years ago, most physicians, most surgeons wore clothe gowns every day and laundered them. But its transitioned to disposable gowns. Were working very rapidly in the next 24 hours and will have guidance for hospitals and Health Care Workers about the ability to in effect recycle gowns and make sure that we have the supplies that we need. As the president mentioned today, the president and the first lady and i and my wife, karen, were honored to be a part of a Conference Call with Mental Health professionals from all around the country. We know while there are families struggling with the coronavirus and struggling with heartbreaking loss to the coronavirus, we understand this is a very challenging time for every american. But most especially americans who struggle with mental disorders or struggle with addiction and the president brought some incredibly dedicated people together to make sure that they know were with them. Early on, the president expanded access to telemedicine and we have issued guidance to using technology to remain connected to social support groups. And we just urge everyone, everyone who may be feeling an emotional burden or a vulnerability during this time to reach out to the many resources that are there and to know that youre not alone, that were with you and well get through this and well get through this together. So despite heartbreaking losses that continue this week, in communities from new york to new jersey, to louisiana, there are signs of progress and hope abounds. The reality is that we see new projections from the experts. And if the projections are right, its because its working, america. Its because the American People are putting into practice the social distancing, caring for their neighbors and loved ones and family members, and putting their health first. We just want to urge every american to continue to put those principles and guidelines into practice every day. With that, im going to invite dr. Deborah birx up for an update, and dr. Fauci. Well hear from the secretary of labor and take a few questions. Thank you, mr. Vice president. I wanted to cover today not only what were seeing across the United States, but some of the testing data to assure from the prior question if were testing, im sure youre following our numbers every day and the amount were going up, about 118,000 to 120,000 per day are being tested. So were way over the 750,000 per week currently. We have some statistics. Remember, we required this thanks to congress to be reported. We have about 75 of that test data in now. About 1. 5 million of those tests have been reported in. I just wanted to give you some ideas, because sometimes we think that were only testing in the hospitals that this should give you an idea of the quantity and the types of tests that have occurred. So we have tested over 200,000 young people up to age 25. They have about 11 Positivity Rate. Over 500,000 people between 25 and 45. They have a 17 positive rate. Now, remember, in order to get tested, you have to have symptoms. So this gives you an idea of the number of people who have symptoms that are not infected with coronavirus. Another 500,000 people between 45 and 65, their Positivity Rate is 21 . Another nearly 200,000 between 65 and 85, 22 positive. And a small group of about 30,000 plus over 85, and they have a 24 Positivity Rate. So this gives you an idea of were testing throughout all age categories. I see a lot of men in the audience today. I just want to remind them about the importance of health care. Of the male female ratio, 56 of the people who are tested are female. 16 positive, 44 male, 23 positive. So, again, it gives you an idea about how men dont often present in the Health Care System until they have greater symptomology. This is to all the men out there, no matter what age group, if you have symptoms, you should be tested and make sure that you are tested. We appreciate you engaging in that. And also really recognizing the issues about comorbidities and making sure that were addressing those. I had a series of great calls with about 17 states that are in our more rural areas, specifically around our Indigenous People and tribal nations. It was a very reassuring call. We are testing across the country. We do have about 63 of states that have less than 10 positive, despite significant testing. And within the Indigenous Peoples and tribal nations, theyre seeing the same thing were seeing across the nation. Increase issues among those with comorbidities and those with elderlies and issues in nursing homes. Many states are still capable of doing full Contact Tracing, so theyve been doing Contact Tracing from nursing home outbreaks and other outbreaks. It really gives us clear impression of no matter what we do in the future, we