Congressional hearing held during the extenuating circumstances of a pandemic. We have a sparse crowd and an expanded dais reflective of the committees adherence to guidelines put forward by the rules committee and attending physician. We thank our members and staff are there patience and understanding as we work through the logistics involved in holding this hearing, which is a critical part of the committees ongoing oversight of the Intelligence Community. Members will be joining us on a rotating basis throughout the morning. Again, this afternoon, as we move to close session. Their absence now is not a reflection of the importance they place on this matter. We have asked members to watch as much of the hearings as they can from their offices, only coming into the hearing room to ask questions. I would also like to thank the press corps for your accommodation of the restrictions we are placing as we seek to fulfill our requirements to hold this nomination hearing in an open setting,
Thank you mister chairman. Congressman Us Intelligence community have an Important Role in warning our leaders about pandemics like covid19. Because outbreaks of course are not just the publichealth matter but also a matter of National Security based on public statements and reporting alone , do you believe that president from as accurately conveyed the severity of the threat of covid19 to the American People . Are you saying presently . We are in the midst of the pandemic presently , correct. The question because i guess im misunderstanding. Im sorry as he accurately reflected the status of the pandemic . The severity of the pandemic, yes. As he conveyed the severity of covid19 to the American People. I believe so. You do and according to april 27 2020 Washington Post article resident from receipt upwards of a dozen briefings on covid19 on the Us Intelligenceagencies between january and february. Of this year. During which time he repeatedly denied the severity of the threat. On janua
A country that has been debilitated financially by american sanctions for years now and the 2nd consideration has been for the government a public that has lost patience with it a public that sees it as relatively speaking unpopular so really the president here d trying to strike a balance between addressing this Public Health crisis and maintaining the economic stability of the country Going Forward and maintaining the social political stability remember this is a country that has lost patience with its own government over a series of crises that the countrys experienced in the last few months and this is also a president who in one of his 1st appearances since the outbreak was announced in the country came on state television spoke to the iranian people and said that in his estimation the outbreak would be over in a matter of 3 days now that was weeks ago having said that the latest figures might suggest some reason for cautious optimism let me give you what the latest numbers are fr
Emerson have also significantly reduced operations meanwhile the International Olympic Committee Says its in talks with japan about postponing the tokyo games canada has announced its athletes would compete unless theres a delay and australians have been told to prepare for a 2021 a limp dicks. While the International Community is being severely affected in a negative way we hope to hold the games to mark that the world has defeated the coronavirus i thought that counseling them is not an option a toll on the decision not to be made by the committee is in line with what i just said but if that becomes difficult we will think of the athletes 1st and foremost and we may have no option but to consider postponing from sydney nicola gage has more on the growing International Pressure to postpone the games. Been a big question mark over the olympics and whether it will go ahead in tokyo in july for some time now with the coronavirus escalating right across the globe and a strike has made its
Yet with another nearly 800 deaths that could be more convoys like this needed spain now has the 3rd highest number of infections worldwide with around 25000 the death toll has passed 1300 now to help madrid and barcelona are converting Exhibition Centers into field hospitals for the sick germany has had a spike in confirmed cases up to more than 16 and a half 1000 and there are now temporary fences on its border with switzerland the German Government is considering whether to bring in a full nationwide ban on going outside. Where much of europe has already gone with its lockdown and social distancing measures the u. K. Is following economically culturally and socially this is a country that has been transformed in just a few days. By order of the governments the u. K. Is now pretty much closed pubs cafes restaurants gyms museums Nursery Schools and universities all shut for the foreseeable future the capitals buses and metro system are empty dont use them unless your job is critical p