Vice President Mike Pence’s office has blocked CNN’s access to administration health officials over the way the network has covered the Coronavirus Task Force daily briefings.
For the past week, Pence’s office has <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/09/media/pence-office-tv-bookings-coronavirus/index.html">refused</a> to make available health officials, such as Drs. Deborah Birx or Anthony Fauci, for appearances on CNN, according to the network. CNN has frequently refused to air the opening portion of President Trump’s daily press briefings, only to cut in when Trump begins taking question from reporters. As CNN reports:
<blockquote>CNN often only broadcasts President Donald Trump&#8217;s question and answer session, which sometimes includes the health care officials, live on-air.
After Trump leaves the podium, CNN frequently cuts out of the White House briefing to discuss and fact-check what the President had said. A CNN executive said that the network usually returns to such programming because of the extensive length of the full briefing that includes Pence, which can run in excess of two hours.</blockquote>
The White House has approved two non-health officials, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and White House economic adviser Peter Navarro, to appear on CNN within the past week. Pence’s office has not blacklisted any other network from bringing on administration officials.
&#8220;When you guys cover the briefings with the health officials, then you can expect them back on your air,&#8221; a Pence spokesperson told CNN.
Trump has conducted daily Coronavirus Task Force press briefings since late March, bringing in various department heads and experts in his administration to showcase how the government is working to slow the spread of the pathogen. During the briefings, he often gets into contentious exchanges with members of the press.
Trump touted the briefings’ ratings on in a pair of tweets on Wednesday, comparing the briefings to Monday Night Football and The Bachelor.
&#8220;The Radical Left Democrats have gone absolutely crazy that I am doing daily Presidential News Conferences. They actually want me to STOP! They used to complain that I am not doing enough of them, now they complain that I ‘shouldn’t be allowed to do them,’&#8221; Trump said.
&#8220;They tried to shame the Fake News Media into not covering them, but that effort failed because the ratings are through the roof according to, of all sources, the Failing New York Times, ‘Monday Night Football, Bachelor Finale’ type numbers (&amp; sadly, they get it $FREE). Trump Derangement Syndrome!&#8221; the president added.
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&#8230;the Fake News Media into not covering them, but that effort failed because the ratings are through the roof according to, of all sources, the Failing New York Times, “Monday Night Football, Bachelor Finale” type numbers (&amp; sadly, they get it <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24FREE&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$FREE</a>). Trump Derangement Syndrome!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1247897591611682818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The media at large received mixed reviews on its handling of the coronavirus last month. A <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/300680/coronavirus-response-hospitals-rated-best-news-media-worst.aspx">Gallup poll</a> of 536 adults conducted between March 13-22 found that 44% of Americans approve of the media’s work, while 55% disapproved. The Pew Research Center <a href="https://www.journalism.org/2020/04/08/as-newsrooms-face-coronavirus-related-cuts-54-of-americans-rate-medias-response-to-the-outbreak-positively/">surveyed</a> 11,537 adults in its American Trends Panel between March 19-24, finding that 54% of adults said the media has done an excellent or good job while 46% rated the media’s coverage as fair or poor.
Trump’s average approval rating has <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_trump_job_approval-6179.html">fallen</a> about two points since a high of over 47% in late March in the early stages of the government&#8217;s coordinated response to the coronavirus pandemic. It now sits at 45.2%, according to Real Clear Politics.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-forming-task-force-to-reopen-economy-key-members-named-follows-his-good-idea-tweet">Trump Forming Task Force To Reopen Economy; Key Members Named; Follows His ‘Good Idea’ Tweet</a>

White House Coronavirus Task Force Holds Daily Briefing At The White House

Pence Blacklists CNN After Network Cut Back Airtime For Coronavirus Briefings

Coronavirus

Donald Trump

Mike Pence

Vice President Mike Pence told Fox News&#8217;s Sean Hannity on Wednesday night that when the coronavirus pandemic is over that the Trump administration will hold the World Health Organization accountable for its actions during the pandemic.
&#8220;The president talked yesterday about withholding monies for the WHO after they basically unchecked to spread Chinese propaganda as it relates to the virus. The comments earlier today were if you don’t want many more body bags, you should reframe from politicizing it,&#8221; Hannity said.  &#8220;There’s no need to use COVID to score political points. We need to behave. That’s how we’ll defeat this virus, no need to point fingers.&#8221;
&#8220;Well, that’s nice that they’re on the attack, but the reality and the truth is &#8212; is they didn’t verify a thing and they went forward with false information,&#8221; Hannity continued. &#8220;And as that one British study said, 95 percent of this could have been prevented had in fact China opened themselves up to the world for help and assistance for early mitigation. And yet, the WHO, which we fund the vast majority of, they didn’t do their job on any level.&#8221;
&#8220;Well, you know this is a president who believes in accountability, and the American taxpayers provide tens of millions of dollars to the World Health Organization,&#8221; Pence responded.
&#8220;As the president said yesterday, I expect we’ll continue to do that. But that doesn’t mean that at the right time in the future we aren’t going to ask the tough questions about how the World Health Organization could have been so wrong,&#8221; Pence continued. &#8220;I mean literally at the time that President Trump set up the White House coronavirus task force in January and suspended all travel from China, just days before that the World Health Organization was continuing to diminish the threat of the coronavirus and its impact in China.&#8221;
Pence concluded, &#8220;We’ll get to the answers of that, and we’ll create accountability, just like the American people would want us to do.&#8221;
WATCH:
<iframe title="Pence blasts WHO&#039;s accountability in exclusive &#039;Hannity&#039; interview" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ipya_OvxYbQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
TRANSCRIPT:
<blockquote>SEAN HANNITY, FOX NEWS HOST: Vice President Pence, thank you for joining us. Glad you could be here. You spoke to &#8212;
MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you, Sean.
HANNITY: &#8212; Republicans and Democrats today, and what is the plan now? What is your main focus at this point?
PENCE: Well the focus today, as President Trump has made clear from the beginning, is to continue to engage every American to do their part to slow the spread. And it really is inspiring to see the way the American people have stepped up and put into practice the social distancing guidelines.
Everything from personal hygiene, to staying home from work if you can, avoiding unnecessary travel, but staying away from groups of more than 10 people, using drive-thrus at restaurants.
I mean, what we’ve seen in terms of progress in California and Washington, where the numbers remain low and steady &#8212; and what we’re just beginning to see in the greater New York City area, and of course New Jersey, and Connecticut, and Louisiana, is evidence of the beginning of a stabilization, which is a great credit to the people of all the states that I mentioned.
But as we made clear to those members of Congress in both parties today, we need every American to continue to do their part. And we will hasten the day that we put the coronavirus in the past, but it’s going to take all of us to do it.
And the good news is, Sean, all evidence suggests that the American people are doing just that. They know our future is in our hands. And as we put the president’s coronavirus guidelines into practice, we’ll get there.
HANNITY: Tell us what you envision for May 1st. We have a $2.2 trillion relief package. We opened up the Fed for another $4 trillion in loans. I know some conservatives were a little nervous about another $2 trillion for infrastructure.
But what does May 1st look like in your mind in terms of opening up the country for business again? How does that work?
PENCE: Well we’re 22 days away from the 30 days that President Trump asked the American people to work together to slow the spread. And what I can tell your viewers is that we will follow the data very carefully.
And while it’s just the beginning, we are seeing evidence that in the areas most challenged &#8212; and we grieve the loss of life in New York City that was reported yesterday. We grieve all the families that have lost loved ones. But while we grieve, we don’t grieve like those who have no hope.
And some of these – what we’ve seen in California and Washington state, and what we’re beginning to see in New York, and New Jersey, and Louisiana and elsewhere is evidence of stabilization.
I think the American people can be encouraged if we all continue to do our part, we could be in a very different place by the end of April, and we could be able to come to the president to work with governors to look for ways in &#8212; in weeks, not months to begin to, as the president says, to reopen America, to reopen this economy.
HANNITY: The president talked yesterday about withholding monies for the WHO after they basically unchecked to spread Chinese propaganda as it relates to the virus. The comments earlier today were if you don’t want many more body bags you should reframe from politicizing it.
There’s no need to use COVID to score political points. We need to behave. That’s how we’ll defeat this virus, no need to point fingers.
Well, that’s nice that they’re on the attack, but the reality and the truth is &#8212; is they didn’t verify a thing and they went forward with false information. And as that one British study said, 95 percent of this could have been prevented had in fact China opened themselves up to the world for help and assistance for early mitigation.
And yet, the WHO, which we fund the fast majority of, they didn’t do their job on any level.
PENCE: Well, you know this is a president who believes in accountability, and the American tax payers provide tens of millions of dollars to the World Health Organization.
As the president said yesterday, I expect we’ll continue to do that. But that doesn’t mean that at the right time in the future we aren’t going to ask the tough questions about how the World Health Organization could have been so wrong.
I mean literally at the time that President Trump stood up the White House coronavirus task force in January and suspended all travel from China, just days before that the World Health Organization was continuing to diminish the threat of the coronavirus and its impact in China.
We’ll get to the answers of that, and we’ll create accountability just like the American people would want us to do.
But what I can assure you is that what President Trump has this team doing everyday, getting up early, staying up late, is making sure that the American people know that what &#8212; what every single person in this country can do to slow the spread, to put &#8212; go to coronavirus.gov to put those guidelines into practice in your family, in your community.
And he has directed to spare no expense to make sure that we have the broadest amount of testing available, new testing developed, and that most importantly our healthcare workers in America have the resources, the protective equipment, the ventilators to be able to provide the level of care to people that are struggling with the coronavirus.
HANNITY: Do you think the country will be up and running on May 1st, one. And number two, 2.2 trillion, 4 trillion made available by the Fed. There’s talk of another 2 trillion. Do you worry about the sheer amount of money that we’re talking about, unprecedented amounts of money?
PENCE: Well, America is the strongest most prosperous nation in the history of the world. And as we reflected on with members of Congress in both parties today, President Trump is truly grateful.
Then in three different pieces of legislation we’ve demonstrated that we’re going to do whatever it takes to get American families, American small businesses and critical American industries through this challenging time.
But as in terms of when we can reopen America, I would just say to you I wouldn’t speculate on a date, but I can assure you that that’s in the hands of the American people. If every one of us will continue to do and implement the president’s coronavirus guidelines for America, if everyone will continue to put into practice all the things that you’ve &#8212; that you’ve been articulating on your program everyday, we’ll continue to save lives, and we’ll reach that day much sooner than people &#8212; people thought in the beginning of this outbreak.
HANNITY: All right. Mr. Vice President, as always, thank you for taking time out of your busy day. And obviously these &#8212; these press briefings everyday, taking a lot of time, a lot going on behind the scenes.
We appreciate you being with us. Thank you, sir.
PENCE: Thank you, Sean.​</blockquote>

White House Coronavirus Task Force Speaks To The Media In Daily Briefing

Mike Pence On W.H.O.: ‘We’ll Create Accountability Just Like The American People Would Want Us To Do’

China

Sean Hannity

On Tuesday night, Bloomberg News released a tweet designed to make Vice President Mike Pence appear to be cold-hearted and ruthless when he spoke to food workers, writing in the tweet that Pence “tells U.S. food workers to ‘do your job’ as some fall ill.” If that weren’t enough, in the caption below describing the article the tweet linked to, Bloomberg wrote, &#8220;Pence to ‘Vital’ Food Workers, ‘Show Up and Do Your Job’ During Virus.”
Then, to complete their disingenuous trifecta, Bloomberg printed the opening lines of the article, which stated, “Just hours after a labor union reported what may be the first poultry-worker deaths associated with the coronavirus in the U.S., Vice President Mike Pence …”
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Pence tells U.S. food workers to &quot;do your job&quot; as some fall ill <a href="https://t.co/AQMl2i6rjL">https://t.co/AQMl2i6rjL</a>
&mdash; Bloomberg (@business) <a href="https://twitter.com/business/status/1247703982119813120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In the <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-08/pence-tells-u-s-food-workers-to-do-your-job-as-some-fall-ill?utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&amp;cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=business">article</a>, Bloomberg admitted Pence actually said at the press conference, “You are vital. You are giving a great service to the people of the United States of America and we need you to continue, as a part of what we call critical infrastructure, to show up and do your job.”
But Bloomberg tempered that by putting quotes around Pence saying the government would work tirelessly to protect the workers, writing, “In return, Pence said, the government will ‘work tirelessly’ to ensure their workplaces are safe.”
Here’s what Pence actually said, and you judge whether Pence sounded cold-hearted:
<blockquote>We all have in our hearts and our minds our healthcare workers and I’ll speak for a moment about the supplies and resources that we’re working to provide for all of them. But right below our healthcare workers are all the people that are working in critical infrastructure around the country, and some of the most important people are working in food supply. From the farmers and the ranchers to our processors to our distributors to our truckers to our grocers: Americans are keeping food on the table for our fellow Americans.
And let me begin by just saying what I said to some of the most prominent CEOs of meat and grain industry companies in the country; companies like Tyson Foods and Hormel today: not just these companies but to all the hard-working people working in food supply today: Thank you. Thank you for what you’re doing to keep those grocery store shelves stocked; thank you for showing up for work every day and working hard to keep that food supply rolling in America.
You know, it was more than five weeks ago that the president brought in all of the grocery store leaders in the country, and there he received a commitment that no grocery store in America would close. And they haven’t. But it’s been these heroic Americans from the farm to the fork that have made it possible for Americans to have one less worry. And they’re truly inspiring heroes.
That being said, I did hear from the industry today that there have been reports of some plants having reduced capacity because of people having concerns about exposure to the coronavirus. In fact, over the last several days there’s been some incidents of worker absenteeism, and some plants have actually been forced to close temporarily.
And so, on behalf of the president, on behalf of our entire team, on behalf of a grateful nation, let me just say to all of you that are working in the food industry at every level across the country: Just understand that you are vital. You are giving a great service to the people of the United States of America and we need you to continue, as a part of what we call our critical infrastructure, to show up and do your job and know that we are going to continue to work tirelessly in working with all of your companies to make sure that that workplace is safe.</blockquote>
Video below:
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Members Of The Coronavirus Task Force Hold Press Briefing

DISGUSTING: Bloomberg News Tries Making Pence Seem Indifferent To Sick Food Workers. Here’s The Actual Video.

Bloomberg News

ABC “Nightline” host Byron Pitts, a devout Christian, used his final question Wednesday evening to ask Vice President Mike Pence if he talks to God about the Americans who have died or will died “because of steps the federal government did not take soon enough.”
“Mr. Vice President I have a final question for you. I &#8212; and I ask this not in a political way, but for you, sir, like so many of us in our nation, are you a person of deep faith. No one doubts that. When you talk to God in your moments alone, do you find yourself worrying at all that people you represent and care deeply about have died and will die who did not need to because of steps the federal government did not take soon enough?” Pitts asked, according to <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/curtis-houck/2020/04/02/abcs-pitts-pence-do-you-talk-god-about-those-who-died-because-you">a transcript</a> from Newsbusters.
Pence ignored the implication and instead focused on coming together and fighting the virus.
“Well, thank you for mentioning that we are talking about one American at a time and I promise you, that&#8217;s the way President Trump thinks of this, it&#8217;s the way I think of it. We wanted the American people to see the numbers so that we understand the challenging days that lie ahead, but I want people to know that our future is in your hands, that if every one of us will do and put into practice the Guidelines for America that we can bring those numbers down. I &#8212; I really do believe we&#8217;ll get through this and we&#8217;ll come out stronger than ever before,” Pence responded.
Pitts also asked Pence why the Trump administration wouldn’t give a national stay-at-home order, even though the vast majority of the country is currently under one at the state level. In another question, Pitts asked Pence why he keeps hearing from doctors and nurses that they are low on supplies when President Donald Trump says every day that resources are being sent to the states.
“Vice President Pence, bridge this gap for me if you would. You and the President have insisted that resources are available by the thousands for states who need them. But yet, governors, Republicans and Democrats, say they don&#8217;t have what they need. On our air every single night, sir, we have doctors, nurses, foot soldiers on the ground who, with tears in their eyes, say they don&#8217;t have what they need. How do you explain that discrepancy?” Pitts asked.
In the same interview, Pence told Pitts that Americans should limit church services to no more than 10 people and that he and his wife Karen Pence were “enjoying worship services online.”
“We’re so grateful to churches and synagogues and places of worship around America that have heeded the president’s coronavirus guidelines for America,” Pence said, <a href="https://nypost.com/2020/04/01/mike-pence-tells-americans-to-avoid-large-church-gatherings-amid-coronavirus/">according to</a> the New York Post.
“We really believe this is a time when people should avoid gatherings of more than 10 people,” he added, “and so we continue to urge churches around America to heed to that.”
Pence suggested that if everyone comes together and follows social distancing guidelines, we will hopefully be through the worst of the coronavirus by Memorial Day.

Nightline Hosts Asks Pence If He Talks To God About People Who Died From Alleged Government Inaction On Coronavirus

Media Bias

Vice President Mike Pence told Fox Business host Charles Payne on Wednesday that the Trump administration was aiming to lower the number of projected deaths from the COVID-19 outbreak, and that the American people need to understand that the numbers that they are hearing are &#8220;just projections.&#8221;
“We&#8217;ve been following the data every single day since the president stood up the White House Coronavirus Task Force in January and when he tapped me to lead it, now more than a month ago,” Pence said.
&#8220;We&#8217;ve been working with Dr. Deborah Birx, one of the leading experts on infectious diseases in the world, and her team, to try and model where we think we are headed in the Coronavirus epidemic in this country,&#8221; Pence continued. &#8220;And late last week looking at the progress we&#8217;ve made because of the mitigation efforts the millions of Americans put into effect over the last 15 days, and because of the strong efforts by states like Washington and California, New York, and New Jersey, she came forward to the president with the very latest numbers.&#8221;
&#8220;But they are just projections,&#8221; Pence said. &#8220;And let me be very clear, we hope for better. And the American people need to know that our future is in their hands, that it&#8217;s the reason why the president made the decision on the spot Saturday to extend for 30 more days the president’s Coronavirus guidelines for America.&#8221;
”We continue to make it clear that we want the American people to focus and be attentive to their state and local authorities in areas where there’s significant outbreak, but the way we hasten the day that we put the Coronavirus behind us as a nation and the way that we lower the number of heartbreaking losses in this country is by putting into practice the 30 days to slow the spread,&#8221; Pence continued. &#8220;And the president thought it was important that the American people see the same data that he had seen in making that call.&#8221;
Pence added, &#8220;And we’re very confident, just as tens of millions of Americans did in the last 15 days, that we’re going to see families all across this country put the health of America first, and recognize that by all of us doing all that we can that we’ll lower the number of losses, and we’ll also reach that part of this where we can.&#8221;
WATCH:
<iframe title="Pence: American free enterprise will help US beat the virus" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3evepLxt5-U?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
TRANSCRIPT:
<blockquote>CHARLES PAYNE, FOX BUSINESS NETWORK HOST: All right, sir, as the head of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, the American public was hit with some very sobering numbers last night, a minimum range between 100,000 and 240,000 deaths in the ensuing weeks.
Can you give us an update from that line of thinking to just really zero in on how those numbers were &#8212; how you arrived at those numbers and what else can be done to perhaps make it less critical, less &#8212; to Dr. Fauci&#8217;s point, that perhaps we don&#8217;t have to hit those numbers?
MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Charles, it&#8217;s good to be with you and thank you for the question, because I think Dr. Fauci touched on what we all hope also came through to the American people.
We&#8217;ve been following the data every single day since the president stood up the White House Coronavirus Task Force in January and when he tapped me to lead it, now more than a month ago.
We&#8217;ve been working with Dr. Deborah Birx, one of the leading experts on infectious diseases in the world and her team to try and model where we think we are headed in the Coronavirus epidemic in this country.
And late last week looking at the progress we&#8217;ve made because of the mitigation efforts the millions of Americans put into effect over the last 15 days, and because of the strong efforts by states like Washington and California, New York, and New Jersey, she came forward to the president with the very latest numbers.
But they are just projections. And let me be very clear, we hope for better. And the American people need to know that our future is in their hands, that it&#8217;s the reason why the president made the decision on the spot Saturday to extend for 30 more days the president’s Coronavirus guidelines for America.
We continue to make it clear that we want the American people to focus and be attentive to their state and local authorities in areas where there’s significant outbreak, but the way we hasten the day that we put the Coronavirus behind us as a nation and the way that we lower the number of heartbreaking losses in this country is by putting into practice the 30 days to slow the spread.
And the president thought it was important that the American people see the same data that he had seen in making that call.
And we’re very confident, just as tens of millions of Americans did in the last 15 days, that we’re going to see families all across this country put the health of America first and recognize that by all of us doing all that we can that we’ll lower the number of losses, and we’ll also reach that part of this where we can –
PAYNE: Right.
PENCE: &#8212; once again begin to reopen America and put America back to work.
PAYNE: I agree with you 100 percent. It feels like all hands on deck. And the American public is certainly behind you.
I’m looking at the Chris Murray model, and it suggests that April 16th could be sort of the high water mark if you will, 2,600 deaths.
How often is the team reevaluating its own modeling to give us an update in terms of, again, maybe these projections are too high, maybe they’re too low. And also how will it inform just how much longer the nation has to be shut down?
PENCE: Well, you speak about the Murray modeling, and what I can tell you is that Dr. Deborah Birx and her team did modeling that very closely aligned to what the Murray modeling suggested, Charles. And that was the information that was presented to the president over this weekend when he made the decision to call on every American –
PAYNE: Right.
PENCE: &#8212; regardless of whether you’re in a community that’s impacted by Coronavirus, to continue to avoid gatherings of more than 10, work from home if you can, use a drive thru instead of going into restaurants. If you’re sick, stay home. All of those principles are available.
Although I must say to you, Charles, as you’re a great champion of American free enterprise, I’m sitting here at the Walmart Distribution Center in Virginia. This is one of the – one of the companies that we will refer to as critical infrastructure.
These are the folks that are keeping food on the table. You know, from the farmers working in the field, to a distribution center here, over 1,000 strong people are coming to work every day. They’re loading those 18 wheelers.
I had a truck driver today talk to me about how proud all of our trucker justifiably are, that they’re keeping the food supplies rolling.
And then you saw the president bring all the grocery store owners together more than a month ago –
PAYNE: Right.
PENCE: &#8212; and they all committed. Every grocery store in America is staying open. Many of them are having hours for seniors so we can protect those that are more vulnerable. I mean, the food supply in America is strong.
We’re developing vaccines and therapies at a record level. We’ve spun up a whole new approach to testing in America. And it’s all because President Trump has engaged free enterprise, the private sector in America in an unprecedented, all-of-America, public-private partnership.
And in conjunction with all of federal health officials, in conjunction with the great leadership at state levels, with conjunction with all those incredible healthcare workers working in hospitals, ICUs, and emergency rooms every day, I know we’ll get through this and we’ll get through it together.
PAYNE: It’s interesting that you brought that up. And again, you know, it’s amazing, when we talk about essential workers, we’re talking about folks who work – cashiers at the pet shop store, right?
So when I – when I suggest to you that I think the fate of free market capitalism is on the line right now and that the administration and big business have got to show the American people that this is the best system &#8212; and you&#8217;re going to have a lot folks saying, hey, you’ve got people who are uninsured, you have people who are being left out. You’ve got private equity saying that they want to get paid by the federal government.
This, to me, is the moment of truth when capitalism is being tested, and it is your administration – you and President Trump – that have got to prove that it is the best way to go about life.
PENCE: Well, I actually think American business is proving that every day. Other than the pride that we have for the courageous doctors and nurses and healthcare workers in this country that are on the front lines, I know President Trump and I couldn&#8217;t be more proud of the way American businesses have stepped forward.
I mean literally every business we&#8217;ve reached out to and asked us to increase medical supplies, or help us construct more of the N95 masks for healthcare workers or build ventilators, every business has said, we&#8217;ll drop anything, we&#8217;ll go to work, we&#8217;ll make it happen.
And companies like this distribution center that I&#8217;m at here in Virginia &#8212; I mean, I&#8217;m telling you, the fact that you have got farmers in the field working, you have got grocery store clerks working the checkout counter, it&#8217;s keeping food on the table for every American.
What you&#8217;re seeing is, the American people are rising to the challenge, our businesses across the country are rising to the challenge.
I mean, the president announced this weekend two of the largest health insurance companies in America waived all co-pays on &#8212; not Coronavirus testing, but Coronavirus treatment. I mean it is remarkable.
I had one company tell me the other day that they were building ventilators, and they were going to do it on a not-for-profit basis. I mean this is America at its best.
We know we&#8217;re all in this together. And we have a president, who from very early on has taken one unprecedented step after another. I mean, suspending all travel from China, screening all passengers from South Korea and Italy, suspending travel from Europe, the U.K., and Ireland.
But in the midst of all of that, what the president’s also done, Charles, is bring American industry to the table and say, we need you to step up, this is all hands on deck. And American industry has responded as never before in my lifetime.
PAYNE: Vice President Pence, I want to say thank you for your efforts. We appreciate it. And also thank you for taking the time. I appreciate it and hope to see you again very soon, sir.
PENCE: Thank you, Charles.​</blockquote>

US-HEALTH-VIRUS-BRIEFING

Mike Pence On Death Projections: ‘They Are Just Projections,’ We’re Aiming To Lower It

COVID-19

After officials discovered that U.S. aid to foreign countries was not being coordinated with U.S. requests for much-needed supplies to handle the crisis, the Coronavirus Task Force headed up by Vice President Mike Pence clamped down on the process to make sure American needs are prioritized and that countries that are assisting the U.S. get the help they need.
In a report published Tuesday, <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/31/pence-task-force-coronavirus-aid-157806">Politico</a> detailed the sequence of events that led to the task force imposing stricter oversight on the handling of USAID.
&#8220;Last week, a Trump administration official working to secure much-needed protective gear for doctors and nurses in the United States had a startling encounter with counterparts in Thailand,&#8221; the outlet reported. &#8220;The official asked the Thais for help — only to be informed by the puzzled voices on the other side of the line that a U.S. shipment of the same supplies, the second of two so far, was already on its way to Bangkok. Trump aides were alarmed when they learned of the exchange, and immediately put the shipment on hold while they ordered a review of U.S. aid procedures.&#8221;
The concern was not just that our allies might be confused or offended, Politico explains, but that Americans might be outraged to learn that urgently needed supplies were being shipped to other countries amid the ongoing crisis.
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&#8220;The incidents have spurred the Pence-led coronavirus task force to scrutinize all of USAID’s deliveries to countries requesting personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to fight the outbreak, according to people directly involved in the discussions, causing tensions between aid officials and task-force members,&#8221; Politico reports. &#8220;The administration has also placed a moratorium on overseas shipments of USAID’s stockpiles of protective gear and is asking that the equipment be sent to the U.S. instead, other officials said.&#8221;
Pence has also taken steps to make sure that the new review process was not holding up coronavirus-related aid to any countries that were offering assistance to the U.S.
Politico notes that the move follows &#8220;backlash&#8221; from the administration&#8217;s critics, including from far-left California Democrat Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) who called the president an &#8220;incompetent idiot&#8221; for sending PPE to China early on.
But the administration says such criticism is unwarranted, noting that the supplies sent to China came from private donations and that they&#8217;ve been attempting to balance the complex diplomatic situation as the crisis has unfolded. Politico quotes Pence spokeswoman Katie Miller, who said it is &#8220;a good thing&#8221; that the administration is &#8220;taking a holistic look at where and when we’re sending PPE as we&#8217;re looking to fulfill needs here at home.&#8221;
Another complication, the outlet highlights, is &#8220;China’s attempts to exploit the shortages by supplying aid to Western countries, keenly aware of Beijing’s interest in showing it is supplanting the United States as a global leader.&#8221; (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/31/pence-task-force-coronavirus-aid-157806">Read the full report here</a>.)
While the administration&#8217;s handling of aid has resulted in some criticism from Democrats, their most prevalent complaint is that President Trump did not take action fast enough to protect Americans from the pandemic. In the task force&#8217;s daily briefing Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, pushed back against that complaint, which was raised by CNN&#8217;s Jim Acosta.
“Just to underscore what Dr. Birx was saying, if there was no virus in the background, there was nothing to mitigate,” Dr. Fauci said. “If there was virus there that we didn’t know about, then the answer to your question is probably yes. Now the only trouble with that is that whenever you come out and say something like that, it always becomes almost a sound bite that gets taken out of context, but I think that’s very important, what Dr. Birx has said, is that if there was covert infections here that we didn’t know about, and we didn’t mitigate them, that they would’ve made a difference. If there was virtually nothing there, then there’s nothing to mitigate.&#8221;
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dr-fauci-shuts-down-cnns-acosta-for-suggesting-trump-didnt-act-early-to-stop-coronavirus">Dr. Fauci Shuts Down CNN’s Acosta For Suggesting Trump Didn’t Act Early To Stop Coronavirus</a>
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Coronavirus Task Force Freezes Foreign Aid After Troubling Discoveries

On a new episode of &#8220;The Ben Shapiro Show: Sunday Special,&#8221; Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief Ben Shapiro speaks with two key figures on the White House Coronavirus Task Force: Vice President Mike Pence, who&#8217;s heading up the task force, and Dr. Deborah Birx, who is serving as the coronavirus response coordinator. In the discussion, Shapiro asked the two leaders about how national and state attempts to &#8220;slow the spread&#8221; are going, and &#8220;how long before this all comes to an end.&#8221;
Shapiro first spoke with Vice President Pence, who offered a hopeful message about the steps Americans and state and local governments have taken thus far to help combat the pandemic.
&#8220;While there are areas of the country where there are significant outbreaks &#8230; and people should absolutely listen to state and local health authorities on what&#8217;s best to keep themselves and their families and their loved ones — particularly vulnerable loved ones — safe, what every American can continue to do is to put the principles of the &#8217;15 Days to Slow the Spread&#8217; into practice,&#8221; said the Vice President. &#8220;The great news is — we&#8217;re hearing it all over the country — tens of millions of Americans have been using the drive-thru at a restaurant, avoiding gatherings of more than ten, putting off non-essential travel, working from home. We have every confidence that as the data continues to unfold in the weeks ahead, we will see that the steps of the American people and family and businesses around the country, across the board, has significantly impacted the spread of the coronavirus in our country, and ultimately saved lives.&#8221;
&#8220;The threat of the coronavirus, even to people that contract the disease, the threat of serious illness is very low,&#8221; Pence underscored. &#8220;For most Americans, especially young Americans like yourself, you&#8217;ll have in some cases no symptoms, mild symptoms, or flu-like symptoms. But there is a small percentage of Americans, particularly seniors with serious underlying health conditions and anyone with an immunodeficiency, for whom the threat of a serious outcome is very real.&#8221;
Shapiro responded by stressing that he has been particularly appreciative of the measured response from the administration, which has refrained from using the powers of the government to &#8220;cram down&#8221; solutions &#8220;that could be done via the private sector.&#8221; That restraint, Shapiro noted, has also &#8220;brought a lot of criticism on the administration,&#8221; with some suggesting that the Defense Production Act &#8220;should have been invoked sooner or invoked differently,&#8221; and some even calling for the nationalization of the supply chain.
Pence noted that while the president ultimately did choose to invoke the act two weeks ago, and has used it to empower the Justice Department to aggressively crack down on those who were price gouging, the &#8220;really inspiring&#8221; development has been that Trump has not had to use it for other measures because of American businesses being eager to help the government in its requests. &#8220;Frankly, Ben, every business that we have asked to step up has said yes,&#8221; said Pence. &#8220;&#8230;Our first approach is to say let&#8217;s ask American businesses to join with us in an American response, and, not surprisingly, American businesses are doing just that.&#8221;
After expressing disbelief that some would criticize Trump for wanting to get Americans back to work as soon as it is safe to do so, Shapiro then asked about how the White House is figuring out the &#8220;formula&#8221; for determining when it was the right time for different regions to ease up on lockdown measures.
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&#8220;The word that I hear every single day is &#8216;data,'&#8221; Pence responded. &#8220;We have not just the best infectious disease scientists in the country, but the best in the world that are part of the White House Coronavirus Task Force. We are analyzing the data every day.&#8221;
Citing the public-private partnership Trump set up with commercial labs, Pence explained, we have now conducted well over half-a-million tests around the country and are developing point-of-care tests that will soon be available. The experts are feeding the increasingly more thorough and accurate data into their models daily, even at times hourly, to determine the degree of the threat.
Trump, Pence stressed, wants to open up the country &#8220;as soon as we responsibly can,&#8221; and the task force is looking &#8220;county by county&#8221; at the numbers to determine where the biggest threats of spread reside and when it is best to ease up on some of the social distancing measures. Ultimately, it will be the governors who make the decisions for their states, Pence explained, and there will continue to be some degree of social distancing even where some of the business and school lockdowns are lifted.
&#8220;What the president recognizes is that it&#8217;s not a choice between putting the health of America first and the economy first,&#8221; said Pence. &#8220;A strong economy contributes to health and well-being of Americans every day.&#8221;
In his discussion with Dr. Birx, Shapiro asked the doctor how confident she is that New York City will not end up like Italy, one of the countries hardest hit by the virus. Birx explained that the data they are receiving on the total number of ICU beds, the ventilators, the additional hospitals they&#8217;ve built, and the activation of a U.S. Navy medical ship, which is helping out with the crisis in the city, is giving the task force a &#8220;very high confidence level&#8221; that they will be able to adequately respond. If the numbers change, they will respond quickly by bringing in more resources, she suggested.
After pointing out that the media has criticized her for calling them out on their frequent use of the most extreme projections, Shapiro asked Birx how her team is estimating COVID-19&#8217;s mortality rate. Birx explained that initially, health experts must use models to project how a virus will impact communities, but as more hard data is available, the real numbers on the ground begin to reshape the models to provide more accurate projections. The real question that remains unanswered is how many people are asymptomatic, which requires looking at antibody levels, which simply isn&#8217;t possible yet. However, as Shapiro noted, the initial alarming mortality rates included in some influential models appear to be far higher than the real numbers indicate.
Watch the full episode above.

Vice President Mike Pence

WATCH: Shapiro Talks With Pence, Birx On ‘How Long Before This All Comes To An End’

Ben Shapiro

Dr. Deborah Birx

On Wednesday morning, President Trump tweeted, “Just reported that the United States has done far more &#8216;testing&#8217; than any other nation, by far! In fact, over an eight-day span, the United States now does more testing than what South Korea (which has been a very successful tester) does over an eight-week span. Great job!”
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Just reported that the United States has done far more “testing” than any other nation, by far! In fact, over an eight day span, the United States now does more testing than what South Korea (which has been a very successful tester) does over an eight week span. Great job!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1242824631230308353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Five hours later, comedienne, sometime CNN guest, and infamous Trump critic Kathy Griffin tweeted along with a selfie from a hospital bed that she couldn’t get tested for coronavirus because of the Trump administration.
&#8220;He’s lying,&#8221; Griffin wrote. &#8220;I was sent to the #COVID19 isolation ward room in a major hospital ER from a separate urgent care facility after showing UNBEARABLY PAINFUL symptoms. The hospital couldn’t test me for #coronavirus because of CDC (Pence task force) restrictions. #TESTTESTTEST.”
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He’s lying. I was sent to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> isolation ward room in a major hospital ER from a separate urgent care facility after showing UNBEARABLY PAINFUL symptoms. The hospital couldn’t test me for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coronavirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#coronavirus</a> because of CDC (Pence task force) restrictions. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TESTTESTTEST?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TESTTESTTEST</a> <a href="https://t.co/18fRiOBsdN">https://t.co/18fRiOBsdN</a> <a href="https://t.co/0sU9fHu4r0">pic.twitter.com/0sU9fHu4r0</a>
&mdash; Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) <a href="https://twitter.com/kathygriffin/status/1242894756415332352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Griffin’s claim was immediately disputed on social media.
Attorney Margot Clevelend, former full-time faculty member and current adjunct professor at the college of business at the University of Notre Dame, snapped, “So, we know this is false because the CDC ‘guidelines’ are clear doctors have discretion to order the test, which makes me wonder: Do the doctors think @kathygriffin: A) is a publicity hound? B) Has Munchausen Syndrome?”
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So, we know this if false because the CDC &quot;guidelines&quot; are clear doctors have discretion to order the test, which makes me wonder: Do the doctors think <a href="https://twitter.com/kathygriffin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kathygriffin</a>: A) Is a publicity hound? B) Has Munchausen Syndrome? <a href="https://t.co/I1nSVKhrOc">https://t.co/I1nSVKhrOc</a>
&mdash; Margot Cleveland (@ProfMJCleveland) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProfMJCleveland/status/1242996272690343937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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As opposed to Griffin’s claim, the CDC guidelines <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-criteria.html">actually state</a>:
<blockquote>Clinicians considering testing of persons with possible COVID-19 should continue to work with their local and state health departments to coordinate testing through public health laboratories, or use COVID-19 diagnostic testing, authorized by the Food and Drug Administration under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) through clinical laboratories.  Increasing testing capacity will allow clinicians to consider COVID-19 testing for a wider group of symptomatic patients.
Clinicians should use their judgment to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. Most patients with confirmed COVID-19 have developed fever1 and/or symptoms of acute respiratory illness (e.g., cough, difficulty breathing). Priorities for testing include:
Other considerations that may guide testing are epidemiologic factors such as the occurrence of local community transmission of COVID-19 infections in a jurisdiction. Clinicians are strongly encouraged to test for other causes of respiratory illness.</blockquote>
Also, Griffin’s wild claim that the CDC and Vice-President Pence’s coronavirus task force are one and the same is patently false.
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I have&#8230;.. questions. <a href="https://t.co/cM7VGoaOcb">https://t.co/cM7VGoaOcb</a>
&mdash; EducatëdHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobProvince/status/1242980960204972032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Griffin has had issues with President Trump since he first came into office. After Trump’s address to Congress in February 2017, Griffin <a href="http://www.mediaite.com/online/what-an-idiot-kathy-griffin-tells-chris-matthews-trumps-crazy-after-speech/">told MSNBC’s Chris Matthews</a>, “I’m a big resister and I don’t believe in compromise with this president. I also think he’s crazy. I think he’s mentally ill. He’s also an idiot.”
In May 2017, she infamously posed with a gory, bloody, decapitated head of Trump. She apologized soon after the incident, but by August 2017 she had resumed her defiant attitude, telling Australia’s &#8220;Sunrise Live&#8221; that she wasn’t sorry for the infamous photo of her, saying, &#8220;I&#8217;m no longer sorry. The whole outrage was B.S. The whole thing got so blown out of proportion.&#8221;
In March 2018, appearing with host Bill Maher on HBO’s Real Time, Griffin joked that her next photoshoot would feature Mike Pence’s severed head, adding, &#8220;Just kidding! Ten months I waited to do that joke. Ten months!”

Gay Porn&#8217;s Biggest Night &#8211; Str8UpGayPorn Awards, Hosted By Kathy Griffin

Kathy Griffin, In Hospital, Lashes Out At Trump Administration

Kathy Griffin

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen have tested negative for coronavirus, a White House spokeswoman said.
Katie Miller, the vice president&#8217;s press secretary, wrote in a post on Twitter on Saturday that she was &#8220;pleased to report&#8221; that tests for the Pences &#8220;came back negative.&#8221;
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Pleased to report that the COVID-19 test results came back negative for both Vice President <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mike_Pence</a> and Second Lady <a href="https://twitter.com/KarenPence?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KarenPence</a>.
&mdash; Katie Miller (@VPPressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/VPPressSec/status/1241524786699874304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The vice president said on Saturday that he would be tested for the coronavirus after a person in his office tested positive for the virus earlier last week.
“While the White House doctor has indicated that he has no reason to believe I was exposed and no need to be tested, given the unique position I have as vice president and as leader of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, both I and my wife will be tested for the coronavirus later this afternoon,” Pence said at a White House press briefing.
Pence said the person in his office who tested positive is recovering. &#8220;I am pleased to report he&#8217;s doing well,” Pence said on Friday. “He had mild cold-like symptoms for about a day and a half. He has not been to the White House since Monday. Neither the president nor I had direct contact with that staff person.&#8221;
The vice president also said neither he nor President Trump had any contact with his staffer. Pence also said that &#8220;contract tracing&#8221; was conducted, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.
Trump took his own test March 14, which came back negative.
The president&#8217;s test came after news broke that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro tested positive for coronavirus. Bolsonaro visited Mar-a-Lago and met with Trump and his administration and family the weekend before, and also had dinner together. He later tweeted out that his second test came back negative.
“The White House is aware of public reports that a member of the Brazilian delegation‘s visit to Mar-a-Lago last weekend tested positive for COVID-19; confirmatory testing is pending,” White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement to the press. “Exposures from the case are being assessed, which will dictate next steps. Both the President and Vice President had almost no interactions with the individual who tested positive and do not require being tested at this time.
“As stated before, the White House Medical Unit and the United States Secret Service has been working closely with various agencies to ensure every precaution is taken to keep the First &amp; Second Families, and all White House staff healthy,” she added. “To reiterate CDC guidelines, there is currently no indication to test patients without symptoms, and only people with prolonged close exposure to confirmed positive cases should self-quarantine.”
Also on March 14, The White House began taking the temperature of people “in close contact” with President Trump or Vice President Pence, including reporters who are attending a briefing on the coronavirus.
“Out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the President and Vice President,” Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said in a statement.

President Trump Welcomes Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison To Washington On State Visit

VP Pence, Wife Test Negative For Coronavirus After Staffer Tested Positive

Vice President Mike Pence&#8217;s Press Secretary Katie Miller said on Friday that one of Pence&#8217;s staff members has tested positive for the coronavirus, which originated in China.
“‪This evening we were notified that a member of the Office of the Vice President tested positive for the Coronavirus,” Miller said. “Neither President Trump nor Vice President Pence had close contact with the individual.”
“Further contact tracing is being conducted in accordance with CDC guidelines,” Miller continued.
The announcement marks the first White House official who has tested positive for the illness as numerous members of Congress and other officials in top government agencies have also tested positive.
President Donald Trump tested negative for the virus earlier this month after he came in brief contact with two people who had later tested positive for the illness.
“Last night, after an in-depth discussion with the President regarding COVID-19 testing, he elected to proceed,” Sean Conley, the physician to the president, wrote in a memo. “This evening I received confirmation that the test is negative.”
&#8220;One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation in Mar-a-Lago, the President remains symptom-free,&#8221; Conley continued. &#8220;I have been in daily contact with the CDC and White House Coronavirus Task Force, and we are encouraging the implementation of all their best practices for exposure reduction and transmission mitigation.&#8221;
On Wednesday, Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT) announced on Twitter that he had contracted the virus and that he had self-quarantined since he first started developing symptoms.
“On Saturday evening, after returning from Washington, D.C., I developed mild cold-like symptoms. In consultation with my doctor on Sunday, I immediately isolated myself in my home,” McAdams said in a statement. “I have been conducting all meetings by telephone. My symptoms got worse and I developed a fever, dry cough and labored breathing and I remained self-quarantined.”
“On Tuesday, my doctor instructed my to get tested for COVID-19 and following his referral, I went to the local testing clinic for the test,” McAdams continued. “Today I learned that I tested positive. I am still working for Utahns and pursuing efforts to get Utahns the resources they need as I continue doing my job from home until I know it is safe to end my self-quarantine. I’m doing my part as all Americans are doing to contain the spread of the virus and mitigate the coronavirus outbreak.”
McAdams concluded, “I urge Utahns to take this seriously and follow the health recommendations we’re getting from the CDC and other health experts so that we can recover from this public health threat.”
Earlier in the day, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) announced his diagnosis on Twitter, writing: “I want everyone to know that I am feeling much better. However, it is important that everyone take this extremely seriously and follow CDC guidelines in order to avoid getting sick and mitigate the spread of this virus. We must continue to work together to emerge stronger as a country during these trying times.”
A statement from his office said, “In an abundance of caution, after votes on Friday, March 13th, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart decided to self-quarantine in Washington, D.C, and not return to South Florida because of his wife Tia’s pre-existing conditions that put her at exceptionally high risk. On Saturday evening, Congressman Diaz-Balart developed symptoms, including a fever and a headache. Just a short while ago, he was notified that he has tested positive for COVID-19. While in quarantine Diaz-Balart has been working from his apartment in Washington, DC.”
This report has been updated to include additional information.

White House

White House Official Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Vice President Mike Pence told Fox News on Tuesday night that the best way for Americans to help the U.S. economy was to take the coronavirus seriously and follow the guidance provided by officials over the next couple of weeks, saying that once the crisis is over that the economy will come surging back.
&#8220;We need every American, every American business to step forward and recognize that if we act now — if we act now, we can limit the spread of the coronavirus significantly and ultimately save lives,&#8221; Pence told Fox News host Sean Hannity, later adding, &#8220;what the President’s made clear, and every American be confident is, we’re going to do whatever it takes.&#8221;
&#8220;Any hourly worker in this country who feels like they may have contracted the coronavirus should stay home, and they shouldn’t worry about missing a paycheck,&#8221; Pence continued. &#8220;We’re working with Congress to ensure that paid leave is available for hard working Americans, but making sure that this economy gets back on its feet, that Americans are able to weather this time has — is also a priority for President Trump. We’re talking with leadership in both parties on Capitol Hill.&#8221;
&#8220;And we’re very confident that as Congress did before with the Supplemental Bill, the legislation that’s moving through today that will bring paid family leave and cover the cost of a coronavirus test for every American, whether they have insurance or not, we’re going to build on that, an economic stimulus package that will bring us through this time,&#8221; Pence added. &#8220;And when we are through the coronavirus, as the president said again today, we know this economy will come roaring back, Sean. And all the fundamentals are there, and the best thing we can do for the economy is what the president called on every American to do yesterday in the 15 days to slow the spread.&#8221;
&#8220;The more we can do, every single one of us, to prevent the spread in our family, in our community, at our place of work, the sooner we will be through this. It will still be weeks and months to go, but we can lessen the impact of the coronavirus in the weeks and months ahead, and we can save lives,&#8221; Pence concluded. &#8220;And as the President said, when we defeat the coronavirus in the United States, this economy will come roaring back.&#8221;
WATCH:
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TRANSCRIPT:
<blockquote>SEAN HANNITY, FOX NEWS HOST: And joining us now is the Vice President of the United States, also heading up the president&#8217;s task force on corona, Vice President Mike Pence.
Great to have you back sir, thank you being with us.
MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you, Sean.
HANNITY: OK, let&#8217;s start &#8212; we&#8217;ve got a lot of ground to cover, a lot of things are now happening fluid –
PENCE: Right.
HANNITY: &#8212; but this 15 days of guidelines for the American people, and the reason for the importance of this?
PENCE: Well Sean, first, thank you for your efforts to convey the president&#8217;s coronavirus guidelines for America. What the President unveiled yesterday and what we&#8217;re &#8212; what we&#8217;re pleased to learn is being embraced by states and communities and millions of American families, for what we believe is important for every American to do over the next two weeks to significantly impact the spread of the coronavirus in the weeks and months ahead.
All of our experts tell us, and they advised the President as he endorsed these guidelines, to avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people, to &#8212; if you’re sick, stay home, if there&#8217;s someone in your home contracts the coronavirus that everyone should stay home.
All of those recommendations are part in parcel of an effort by our experts endorsed by the President to limit the reach of the coronavirus over the coming weeks and months.
We need every American, every American business to step forward and recognize that if we act now &#8212; if we act now, we can limit the spread of the coronavirus significantly and ultimately save lives.
HANNITY: Let’s go through a little checklist if we can. I know you don’t have a lot of time.
How quickly will the drive-up testing sites in Walmart and CVS parking lots – Targets, et cetera – I wish I could name them all, because I think they’ve really stepped up to the plate.
How long do you expect those online for those people that need tests, and how big of a part of the country will be covered?
PENCE: Well, what’s happening is that as of last week, 10 states around the country had initiated drive-thru testing centers. But Sean, they were using the old manual testing methods in labs, which could only test about 40 to 60 people a week.
Because President Trump two weeks ago brought together the top commercial labs in the country and because the FDA moved in record time, now we have what are called high through put tests, automated tests that can literally test thousands of people a day for the coronavirus.
And I couldn’t be more proud. Admiral Giroir and the dedicated people at U.S. Public Health Service and FEMA are working with states around the country to build on the states’ efforts to establish drive-thru and community coronavirus testing centers.
Those are coming online starting tomorrow, and they’ll be widening their scope around the country. We’re going to be supporting state efforts. We’re going to be working with them to make sure that those great retailers, which are CVS and Target and Walgreens and Walmart that have &#8212; are opening their parking lots for drive-thru centers, are included.
But the American people can be confident that now that we have the commercial labs around the country with those high speed automated tests, you’re literally going to see tens of thousands of tests in the days and weeks ahead for the American people.
HANNITY: Let’s talk about will we have enough medical equipment &#8212; respirators, ventilators. I know, as I said, some were released by the Pentagon. That’s really good news in a worst case scenario.
Also I talked to Dr. Fauci, he likes to say he wants to err on the side of caution. Worst case scenario is what you’re planning for. Are we ready for that?
For example, cities that might be overwhelmed, would we have triage capabilities, doctors on standby with all the equipment that they need &#8212; the tents, the medical supplies, supporting staff that we could C-130 cargo plane them over and they could set up and they’re on the ground to take on more capacity if hospital systems are overwhelmed?
PENCE: Well, Sean, today the President convened the nation’s top industrial suppliers, names that are familiar to you &#8212; Home Depot, Amazon and others. And &#8212; and we directed them today to ensure that those critical medical supplies are being focused away from construction and other industries and focused exclusively on the needs of our healthcare industry. The President’s made it clear, this is all hands on deck. We’re going to continue to work with businesses. We’re going to continue to work closely with governors.
I spoke to the governor of New Jersey today. I spoke to the governor of Washington State yesterday. We are day by day evaluating what their needs are, because our priority is people that &#8212; that have contracted the coronavirus, making sure they have the testing and the care that every American would want for their family.
And our second priority right after it is our healthcare workers, Sean. And President Trump has made it clear that we’re going to use every effort of the federal government, every resource of the government, as well as harnessing the power of the private sector to make sure our healthcare workers have the personal protective equipment that they need to do their job safely.
HANNITY: Mr. Vice President, I want to ask you this, especially on the economy, we know that there are checks going out starting, I believe in the next two weeks, people paying their taxes will get a delay, no penalties, no interest.
There’s going to be small business loan availability set up for those small businesses and relief for workers and relief for those industries in particular, airlines, the president has mentioned cruise line industry, directly impacted through no fault of their own here. We may be spending close to a trillion dollars?
PENCE: Sean, what the President’s made clear, and every American be confident is, we’re going to do whatever it takes. Any hourly worker in this country who feels like they may have contracted the coronavirus should stay home, and they shouldn’t worry about missing a paycheck.
We’re working with Congress to ensure that paid leave is available for hard working Americans, but making sure that this economy gets back on its feet, that Americans are able to weather this time has &#8212; is also a priority for President Trump. We’re talking with leadership in both parties on Capitol Hill.
And we’re very confident that as Congress did before with the Supplemental Bill, the legislation that’s moving through today that will bring paid family leave and cover the cost of a coronavirus test for every American, whether they have insurance or not, we’re going to build on that, an economic stimulus package that will bring us through this time.
And when we are through the coronavirus, as the president said again today, we know this economy will come roaring back, Sean. And all the fundamentals are there, and the best thing we can do for the economy is what the president called on every American to do yesterday in the 15 days to slow the spread.
The more we can do, every single one of us, to prevent the spread in our family, in our community, at our place of work, the sooner we will be through this. It will still be weeks and months to go, but we can lessen the impact of the coronavirus in the weeks and months ahead, and we can save lives.
And as the President said, when we defeat the coronavirus in the United States, this economy will come roaring back.
HANNITY: Mr. Vice President, as always, thank you.
PENCE: Thank you Sean.</blockquote>

Coronavirus Task Force Press Conference in Washington, USA

Vice President Pence: When Coronavirus Outbreak Over ‘Economy Will Come Roaring Back’

On Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence announced that the Trump administration was able to get major insurance companies to agree to waive copays on coronavirus testing.
“I&#8217;m pleased to report that as you requested, Mr. President, that all the insurance companies here, either today, or before today, have agreed to waive all copays on coronavirus testing, and extend coverage for coronavirus treatment in all of their benefit plans,” Pence announced during a meeting with President Donald Trump and insurance CEOs, according to <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/486816-pence-major-health-insurers-have-agreed-to-waive-copays-for-coronavirus">The Hill</a>. 
The VP, who was tasked last week to help lead the effort in combating the coronavirus,  added that insurance companies also agreed to avoid any &#8220;surprise billing&#8221; by making prices for coronavirus-related treatments available to patients up front.
The health insurance companies that attended the meeting, and are seemingly onboard with waiving such copays, include UnitedHealth Group, Anthem, Cigna, Humana, Aetna and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, The Hill reported.
According to Pence, the companies represent nearly 240 million Americans.
The coronavirus has infected more than 700 people in over 30 states and killed nearly 30 people, the Johns Hopkins University tracker estimates, <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/mar/10/insurers-tell-white-house-they-will-cover-virus-te/">The Washington Times</a> noted Tuesday.
During a press conference Monday, Pence said that there will be more people who test positive for the virus in coming days as testing increases throughout the nation. The vice president emphasized that the &#8220;vast majority&#8221; of people who contract the virus will fully recover and those at greatest risk are the elderly.
The vice president encouraged Americans to visit <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html">Coronavirus.gov</a> to understand the risks, learn about necessary precautions, and get updates about the virus.
According to the site, which has been updated periodically, coronavirus, or COVID-19, developments will likely include &#8220;more instances of community spread.&#8221;
&#8220;It’s likely that at some point, widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the United States will occur,&#8221; the site states. &#8220;Widespread transmission of COVID-19 would translate into large numbers of people needing medical care at the same time. Schools, childcare centers, and workplaces, may experience more absenteeism. Mass gatherings may be sparsely attended or postponed.&#8221;
&#8220;Public health and healthcare systems may become overloaded, with elevated rates of hospitalizations and deaths,&#8221; coronavirus.gov noted. &#8220;Other critical infrastructure, such as law enforcement, emergency medical services, and sectors of the transportation industry may also be affected. Healthcare providers and hospitals may be overwhelmed.&#8221;
&#8220;At this time, there is no vaccine to protect against COVID-19 and no medications approved to treat it. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-interventions/index.html">Nonpharmaceutical interventions</a> would be the most important response strategy,&#8221; the site added.
The &#8220;nonpharmaceutical interventions&#8221; section hyperlinks to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which includes the following:
<ul>
<li>Staying home when you are sick.</li>
<li>Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue.</li>
<li>Washing hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available.</li>
<li>Staying home if you have been exposed to a family or household member who is sick.</li>
<li>Covering your nose and mouth with a mask or cloth if you are sick and around people or at a mass gathering in a community where the pandemic is already occurring.</li>
</ul>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/major-sports-leagues-impose-new-policies-over-coronavirus">Major Sports Leagues Impose New Policies Over Coronavirus</a>

President Donald Trump And Vice President Mike Pence

Trump Admin Gets Major Insurance Companies To Waive Copays On Coronavirus Testing

health insurance

The American Conservative Union (ACU), which hosts the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C., confirmed on Saturday that one of this year&#8217;s attendees has tested positive for coronavirus.
&#8220;The exposure occurred previous to the conference,&#8221; the ACU said in an email to attendees and participants. The attendee was tested in New Jersey and the positive diagnosis was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the ACU said.
Both President Trump and Vice President Pence attended this year&#8217;s event.
But the ACU said &#8220;this attendee had no contact with the President or the Vice President and never attends the events in the main hall,&#8221; where both spoke.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Important Health Notification for CPAC 2020 participants and attendees. <a href="https://t.co/NtahNO8st3">pic.twitter.com/NtahNO8st3</a>
&mdash; ACU (@ACUConservative) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACUConservative/status/1236415113265102852?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The ACU sought to allay concerns on Saturday.
&#8220;ACU has been in contact with the Health Department of the State of Maryland, and we will explicitly follow the guidance from government health experts,&#8221; the email read.
&#8220;The health and safety of our attendees and participants is our top priority. Any attendee who has questions can contact ACU or the Department of Health for the State of Maryland.&#8221;
CPAC was held Feb. 26-29 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Fort Washington, Md., just outside Washington, D.C.
&#8220;Our children, spouses, extended family, and friends attended CPAC. During this time, we need to remain calm, listen to our health care professionals and support each other. We send this message in that spirit,&#8221; the ACU said.
The CPAC news came after reports that two people who attended another Washington, D.C. conference – where Vice President Mike Pence delivered a speech – have tested positive for coronavirus.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) announced that two people from New York who attended the conference this week have confirmed cases of the contagious disease.
“We have confirmed that at least two Policy Conference attendees from New York have tested positive for the Coronavirus,” AIPAC told conference attendees and participants in an email on Friday.
“We have continued to remain in constant communication with the Westchester County Health Department and the DC Health Department which is coordinating with the New York Health Department, and national health authorities,” the email said, according to <a href="https://www.bizpacreview.com/2020/03/07/virus-hits-dc-two-aipac-conference-attendees-tested-positive-for-coronavirus-894800">Biz Pac Review</a>.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Important Update: Coronavirus 
As emailed to Policy Conference attendees, participants, speakers, administration and Hill offices.<a href="https://t.co/0mkWeuRErA">https://t.co/0mkWeuRErA</a> <a href="https://t.co/EHl694pkgJ">pic.twitter.com/EHl694pkgJ</a>
&mdash; AIPAC (@AIPAC) <a href="https://twitter.com/AIPAC/status/1236056463740735488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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More than 18,000 people, along with many congressional lawmakers, attend the conference each year, its website says. This year, Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), as well as Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) attended. Also on hand were former 2020 Democratic candidates Mike Bloomberg and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ).
Pence, who has been tapped by President Donald Trump to head up the administration&#8217;s response to the virus, said during a Friday briefing that he hadn&#8217;t heard that people at the conference had tested positive.
“That’s the first I’ve heard of it, in the midst of a busy day,” Pence said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, also said during the press conference that he had not heard the news.
“If you have someone who was here, the risk of there being a major outbreak obviously, which everybody thinks about, but what will happen is that those individuals that were infected will have contact tracing and that’s the ‘public health weapon,’ if you want to call it, that we have,&#8221; he said.
The D.C. Department of Health said in a statement Friday that “there is no identified risk to conference attendees at this time.&#8221;

Key Speakers At The Conservative Political Action Conference

CPAC Confirms Attendee At Conservative Conference Where Trump Spoke Has Coronavirus

CPAC

During an official trip to Florida regarding the coronavirus outbreak, a sheriff’s deputy with Vice President Mike Pence’s motorcade was involved in a highway crash and has since been hospitalized. 
According to Ryan Beene of Bloomberg News, a motorcycle officer assigned to the vice president’s motorcade crashed on the I-95 highway, but no other people are believed to have sustained injuries. 
“Scary moment in [the vice president’s] motorcade in Florida. A motorcycle officer detailed to the motorcade crashed on I-95. All others OK. Thankfully, the officer was found to be conscious after the crash and has been transported to a hospital, Pence’s team says. Send some good vibes his way,” said Beene. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Scary moment in <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a>’s motorcade in Florida. A motorcycle officer detailed to the motorcade crashed on I-95. All others OK. Thankfully, the officer was found to be conscious after the crash and has been transported to a hospital, Pence’s team says. Send some good vibes his way.
— Ryan Beene (@RyanBBeene) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanBBeene/status/1236368796774010880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
The officer’s condition is currently unknown, and no other details have been reported at this time. 
In a statement on Twitter after the incident, Pence offered prayers for the injured officer and thanked all of the officers that work to keep him safe. 
“We are praying for the Sheriff&#8217;s Deputy and his family. We are grateful to everyone in the Palm Beach Sheriff&#8217;s Office for all they do to keep us safe,” said Pence. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We are praying for the Sheriff’s Deputy and his family. We are grateful to everyone in the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office for all they do to keep us safe. <a href="https://t.co/3Ntd1DZcZM">https://t.co/3Ntd1DZcZM</a>
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence/status/1236374095002025984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
Pence, who has been assigned by the president to lead the coronavirus task force, tweeted Saturday morning that he was traveling to Florida to discuss safety measures for cruise lines with industry executives. 
“Heading to Florida for a briefing with cruise line executives and port directors,” said Pence. “We will be discussing what additional measures our cruise lines should take to ensure the health and safety of the American public.”
According to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/21-people-grand-princess-cruise-ship-test-positive-coronavirus-pence-n1151936">NBC News</a>, Pence announced Friday that 21 people on the Grand Princess cruise ship, which is currently quarantined off the coast of California, had tested positive for coronavirus. The ship has 3500 passengers on board, and 19 of the 21 people who tested positive are crew members. 
&#8220;Those who need to be quarantined will be quarantined. Those who require additional medical attention will receive it,&#8221; said Pence during a press conference. 
According to <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/should-i-go-on-a-cruise-celebrity-cruises-royal-caribbean-disney-and-norwegian-offer-free-cancellations-with-caveats-and-issue-strict-instructions-for-passengers-2020-03-07">Market Watch</a>, cruise lines have been unloading a host of bargain packages on the public to compensate for bad press related to the coronavirus outbreak, which notoriously resulted in entire ships being quarantined. 
“The biggest threats to those contemplating a cruise are the prospect of being quarantined on a vessel should a port refuse to allow the ship to dock and, of course, someone aboard testing positive and the virus spreading among crew members and passengers,” reports the news agency.

Boris Johnson Greets US Vice President Mike Pence

Motorcycle Officer In Pence Motorcade Involved In Crash; VP Responds

Two people who attended a Washington, D.C. conference &#8212; where Vice President Mike Pence delivered a speech &#8212; have tested positive for coronavirus.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) announced that two people from New York who attended the conference this week have confirmed cases of the contagious disease.
“We have confirmed that at least two Policy Conference attendees from New York have tested positive for the Coronavirus,” AIPAC told conference attendees and participants in an email on Friday.
“We have continued to remain in constant communication with the Westchester County Health Department and the DC Health Department which is coordinating with the New York Health Department, and national health authorities,” the email said, according to <a href="https://www.bizpacreview.com/2020/03/07/virus-hits-dc-two-aipac-conference-attendees-tested-positive-for-coronavirus-894800">Biz Pac Review</a>.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Important Update: Coronavirus 
As emailed to Policy Conference attendees, participants, speakers, administration and Hill offices.<a href="https://t.co/0mkWeuRErA">https://t.co/0mkWeuRErA</a> <a href="https://t.co/EHl694pkgJ">pic.twitter.com/EHl694pkgJ</a>
&mdash; AIPAC (@AIPAC) <a href="https://twitter.com/AIPAC/status/1236056463740735488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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More than 18,000 people, along with many congressional lawmakers, attend the conference each year, its website says. This year, Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky as well as Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming attended. Also on hand were former 2020 Democratic candidates Mike Bloomberg and Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey.
Pence, who has been tapped by President Donald Trump to head up the administration&#8217;s response to the virus, said during a Friday briefing that he hadn&#8217;t heard that people at the conference had tested positive.
“That’s the first I’ve heard of it, in the midst of a busy day,” Pence said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, also said during the press conference that he had not heard the news.
“If you have someone who was here, the risk of there being a major outbreak obviously, which everybody thinks about, but what will happen is that those individuals that were infected will have contact tracing and that’s the ‘public health weapon,’ if you want to call it, that we have,&#8221; he said.
The D.C. Department of Health said in a statement Friday that “there is no identified risk to conference attendees at this time.&#8221;
“All attendees and members of the public are urged to follow the well-established prevention tips like staying home if sick and calling ahead to a health provider if experiencing symptoms,” the Health Department said.
The White House moved to tighten visitor restrictions last month amid fears that the coronavirus could spread there, and is holding regular meetings on how to reduce the threat to Trump and his staff, according to a <a href="https://nypost.com/2020/03/06/how-white-house-is-protecting-trump-from-the-coronavirus/">New York Post</a> report.
&#8220;In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, the White House has mandated that guests disclose all countries visited in the past 30 days. And further steps are under review by a group led by Tony Ornato, White House deputy chief of staff for operations,&#8221; the Post reported.
<blockquote>The group was described to The Post by one senior administration official as a “task force” that convenes when necessary to address emerging threat situations.
The biggest visible change in the West Wing has been installation of hand sanitizer stations. But the senior official said temperature checks and ending public tours are possible if the crisis worsens — though neither is imminent.
The Ornato-led group is “constantly monitoring and re-evaluating” White House protocols, the official said.</blockquote>
Back on February 21, the Secret Service began &#8220;requiring non-pass-holding visitors to the White House complex to submit a list of countries visited in the past 30 days.&#8221;
“It’s not a hard and fast ban, but it lets the medical experts know who to talk to with follow-up questions,” an official told The Post. “People have been very cooperative and understanding, which we appreciate.”

Mike Pence And Nikki Haley Address Annual AIPAC Conference In Washington

Two People At D.C. Conference Attended By VP Pence Test Positive For Coronavirus

American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)

Vice President Mike Pence has confirmed that 21 people aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship, circling off of San Francisco, have tested positive for coronavirus.
Pence said at a Friday press briefing at the White House that the coronavirus task force had confirmed the infections, which hit 19 crew members and two passengers.
The vice president said the cruise ship, which took passengers from California to Hawaii on a 15-day cruise, would dock at a “non-commercial port” over the weekend and the more than 2,000 passengers could disembark. But first, all will be tested for the virus.
“We have developed a plan which will be implemented this weekend to bring the ship into a non-commercial port,” Pence said. “All passengers and crew will be tested for the coronavirus. Those that need to be quarantined will be quarantined. Those that require additional medical attention will receive it.&#8221;
&#8220;We are taking all measures necessary to see to the health of the Americans and those involved on the Grand Princess. And just as importantly to protect the health of the American public and prevent the spread of the disease,&#8221; he added.
The vice president said it&#8217;s likely the 1,100-member crew on the cruise ship were exposed to coronavirus on &#8220;two different outings,&#8221; adding that they will remain in quarantine aboard the ship. As for the passengers, some will be quarantined on nearby U.S. military bases, including two bases that already hold those in quarantine, according to Health and Human Services official Robert Kadlec.
Pence, who was put in charge of the administration&#8217;s response to the virus by President Donald Trump, also said he is working with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to figure out where to dock the ship.
“We are taking all measures necessary to see to the health of &#8230; those involved on the Grand Princess and, just as importantly, to protect the health of the American public and prevent the spread of the disease through communities in this country,” Pence said.
The Grand Princess has has been circling 100 miles off the shore of San Francisco for more than two days, but moved closer to the coastline late Friday, and there were reports that passengers might be airlifted off the ship.
&#8220;Late Friday, the ship made a turn toward San Francisco and was only a few miles off the Golden Gate Bridge,&#8221; <a href="https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/03/07/coronavirus-grand-princess-airlift-passenger-san-francisco-health-stranded-passengers/">KPIX-TV</a> reported. &#8220;Chris Grady, a passenger onboard from Milpitas told KPIX 5 in a late night Skype interview there [sic] a reason for the sudden movement. It was just a brief announcement (over the ship’s PA system) mostly for the crew to go up to get ready for the helicopter to come to prepare for an airlift,” he said. “It wasn’t really directed toward us (the passengers).”
The U.S. death toll, meanwhile, jumped to 14, and the number of cases in the U.S. rose from 260 on Friday to 340 on Saturday, according to a tracking tool created by the <a href="https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6">Johns Hopkins</a> Whiting School of Engineering. The infected are spread over more than 20 states, and <a href="https://www.bizpacreview.com/2020/03/07/virus-hits-dc-two-aipac-conference-attendees-tested-positive-for-coronavirus-894800">reports say</a> the virus has now hit Washington, D.C.

Pence Confirms 21 Cases Of Coronavirus Aboard Grand Princess Cruise Ship Off Coast Of San Francisco

During Thursday night&#8217;s Fox News town hall event, President Donald Trump addressed rumors about his 2020 vice president slot head on.
Trump brought up the reports concerning Vice President Mike Pence being replaced when Fox News host Bret Baier asked the president who his closest friend is in Washington.
&#8220;Well, I get along great with our vice president,&#8221; Trump told Baier. 
&#8220;I keep hearing I’m replacing him,&#8221; the president noted of the incessant reports and speculation. &#8220;Every day, I hear &#8216;He’s going to put this one and that one&#8217; [on the 2020 ticket].&#8221;
Seemingly dispelling the idea of a new VP, Trump added, &#8220;If I did, that would be a great act of disloyalty.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/BretBaier?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BretBaier</a> asks Trump who his closest friend is in DC: &quot;Well, I get along great with our vice president. I keep hearing I’m replacing him. Every day, I hear &#39;he’s going to put this one and that one&#39; [on the 2020 ticket]. If I did that would be a great act of disloyalty.&quot;
&mdash; Gabby Orr (@GabbyOrr_) <a href="https://twitter.com/GabbyOrr_/status/1235724036291903489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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For well over a year, rumors have swirled that Trump will drop Pence for a new VP, namely former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.
Earlier this week, for example, CNN political analyst Paul Begala &#8220;guaranteed&#8221; that the president was &#8220;gonna dump Mike Pence in favor of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley&#8221; when the Democratic nominee is slated to give their acceptance speech on July 16, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/media/485562-cnns-begala-trump-will-dump-pence-for-haley-on-day-of-democratic-nominees">The Hill</a> reported.
“This is not a prediction. It’s a certainty,&#8221; said Begala. &#8220;On Thursday, July 16 — that’s the date the Democrat gives his or her acceptance address — on that day, to interrupt that narrative, Donald Trump will call a press conference at Mar-a-Lago. He’s going to dump Mike Pence and put Nikki Haley on the ticket to try to get those suburban moms.&#8221;
According to The Hill, Begala made the remarks during a panel discussion at the D.C.-based American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) conference on Monday.
After similar speculation popped up last year, President Trump reiterated the same about Pence, calling him &#8220;our man.&#8221;
“Mike Pence is a great vice president, he’s our man 100 percent,” Trump told “Fox &amp; Friends” co-host Ainsley Earhardt in November, as noted by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/president-trump-addresses-rumors-of-vp-nikki-haley-pence-is-our-man">The Daily Wire</a>. 
“Mike Pence — I know I’ve seen this rumor that keeps popping up, and Nikki would be great, but Mike Pence has done a phenomenal job as vice president,” he added. “He’s our guy, he’s my friend, and look, we have a great team.”
The rumors about Haley as VP were sparked after the former governor resigned from her United Nations ambassadorship.
“For all of you that are going to ask about 2020 — no, I am not running for 2020,” Haley said soon after her resignation. “I can promise you what I will be doing is campaigning for this one. So, I look forward to supporting the president in the next election.”
Moreover, in August, Haley similarly tweeted: “Enough of the false rumors. Vice President Pence has been a dear friend of mine for years. He has been a loyal and trustworthy VP to the president. He has my complete support.”
President Trump recently tapped Pence to help lead the efforts responding to the coronavirus. &#8220;I know full well the importance of presidential leadership, the importance of administration leadership, and the vital role of partnerships of state and local governments and health authorities in responding to the potential threat of dangerous infectious diseases,&#8221; Pence said, according to <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-02-27/trump-taps-pence-to-head-coronavirus-response-as-1st-us-case-of-unknown-origin-spotted">U.S. News</a>.

Nikki Haley And Mike Pence

Trump Addresses Rumors About Replacing VP Mike Pence

When President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Vice President Mike Pence would be assisting in overseeing the response to the Coronavirus, far-left Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) rifled off tweets ridiculing Pence for &#8220;literally&#8221; not believing &#8220;in science.&#8221;
&#8220;Mike Pence literally does not believe in science,&#8221; hurled Ocasio-Cortez via Twitter. &#8220;It is utterly irresponsible to put him in charge of US coronavirus response as the world sits on the cusp of a pandemic.&#8221;
&#8220;This decision could cost people their lives,&#8221; fear-mongered AOC. &#8220;Pence’s past decisions already have.&#8221;
The congresswomen blamed an HIV outbreak in Indiana on the VP and blasted: &#8220;He is not a medical doctor. He is not a health expert. He is not qualified nor positioned in any way to protect our public health.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
As governor, Pence’s science denial contributed to one of the worst HIV outbreaks in Indiana’s history.
He is not a medical doctor. He is not a health expert. He is not qualified nor positioned in any way to protect our public health. <a href="https://t.co/1jVY44p2HF">https://t.co/1jVY44p2HF</a>
&mdash; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) <a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1232841137930559490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz took issue with AOC&#8217;s &#8220;anti-science&#8221; smear, particularly over the elected Democrat&#8217;s views on things like sex, gender, and life. For example, AOC supports policies which suggest biological men who identify as women are female and living unborn humans are not living unborn humans.
&#8220;As you are speaking as the oracle of science, tell us, what exactly is a Y chromosome?&#8221; blasted the senator.
With regard to abortion, Cruz added: &#8220;And at what age of gestation does science tell us that an unborn child feels physical pain?&#8221;
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2/x And at what age of gestation does science tell us that an unborn child feels physical pain?
&mdash; Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1233131075184078851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Republican then took a shot at AOC for continuously blasting the Trump administration with regard to her climate change hysterics: &#8220;And, of the 195 countries on planet Earth, which country produced the greatest total reduction in CO2 emissions in 2019?&#8221;
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3/x And, of the 195 countries on planet Earth, which country produced the greatest total reduction in CO2 emissions in 2019?
&mdash; Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1233131572553011200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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AOC responded to Cruz on Friday morning, though she side-stepped the issues of abortion and transgenderism highlighted by the senator, instead boasting of her credentials.
&#8220;Sen. Cruz, while I understand you judge people’s intelligence by the lowest income they’ve had, I hold awards from MIT Lincoln Lab &amp;others for accomplishments in microbiology,&#8221; she responded. &#8220;Secondly, I’m surprised you’re asking about chromosomes given that you don’t even believe in evolution.&#8221;
Ocasio-Cortez signed off:
<blockquote>Sincerely, an Intel global finalist, a fmr multi-year intern for Sen. Kennedy, a cum laude dual major in Economics &amp; International Relations, a fmr Educational Director for national organization, Who to you is “just a bartender,” And also your colleague.</blockquote>
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Sincerely, an Intel global finalist, a fmr multi-year intern for Sen. Kennedy, a cum laude dual major in Economics &amp; International Relations, a fmr Educational Director for national organization, Who to you is “just a bartender,” And also your colleague.<a href="https://t.co/9ktAgXFXDE">https://t.co/9ktAgXFXDE</a>
&mdash; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) <a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1233414601041207296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;We see evolution every day: the Dem party is rapidly evolving into an angry, anti-science socialist ideology,&#8221; Cruz snarked in response. &#8220;You insulted Pence &amp; I asked you 3 real Qs re science. You ignored all 3 &amp; responded w/ your resume &amp; ad hominem attacks. Instead of insults, address the substance.&#8221;
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We see evolution every day: the Dem party is rapidly evolving into an angry, anti-science socialist ideology. You insulted Pence &amp; I asked you 3 real Qs re science. You ignored all 3 &amp; responded w/ your resume &amp; ad hominem attacks. Instead of insults, address the substance. <a href="https://t.co/QhyqRJOrii">https://t.co/QhyqRJOrii</a>
&mdash; Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1233477001169821700?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Attempting to get a real answer from the representative, Cruz again listed his questions:
<blockquote>To reprise, science Q1 was “tell us, what exactly is a Y chromosome?”
Science Q2 was “at what age of gestation does science tell us that an unborn child feels physical pain?”
And Science Q3 was “of the 195 countries on planet Earth, which country produced the greatest total reduction in CO2 emissions in 2019?”</blockquote>
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3/x Science Q2 was “at what age of gestation does science tell us that an unborn child feels physical pain?”
&mdash; Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1233477568453586947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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4/x And Science Q3 was “of the 195 countries on planet Earth, which country produced the greatest total reduction in CO2 emissions in 2019?”
&mdash; Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1233477875107495936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Closing the thread, Cruz said he awaited AOC&#8217;s &#8220;engagement on the actual substance, as a colleague as you noted, hopefully without the insults.&#8221;
&#8220;Btw, congrats on the science fair,&#8221; the senator ended the exchange, quote-tweeting AOC&#8217;s list of her own accomplishments.
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Btw, congrats on the science fair. <a href="https://t.co/F1hDE4fKkG">https://t.co/F1hDE4fKkG</a>
&mdash; Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1233481220572504069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/aoc-pounds-table-cites-her-faith-to-rail-against-conservative-christians-bigotry-and-discrimination">AOC Pounds Table, Cites Her ‘Faith’ To Rail Against Conservative Christians’ ‘Bigotry And Discrimination’</a>
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Ted Cruz

AOC Rips Pence As ‘Anti-Science.’ Cruz: What’s A Y Chromosome?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Ted Cruz

President Trump on Friday ripped Democrats for &#8220;wasting time&#8221; going after him endlessly instead of addressing the global threat of coronoavirus.
While Trump has put his administration into overdrive to handle the spread of the China-originating virus, Democrats are holding press conferences to complain that the president isn&#8217;t acting fast enough or spending enough money.
&#8220;So, the Coronavirus, which started in China and spread to various countries throughout the world, but very slowly in the U.S. because President Trump closed our border, and ended flights, VERY EARLY, is now being blamed, by the Do Nothing Democrats, to be the fault of &#8216;Trump&#8217;,&#8221; the president wrote on Twitter on Friday.
Trump also hit Democrats for &#8220;wasting time&#8221; on pointless squabbles. &#8220;The Do Nothing Democrats were busy wasting time on the Immigration Hoax, &amp; anything else they could do to make the Republican Party look bad, while I was busy calling early BORDER &amp; FLIGHT closings, putting us way ahead in our battle with Coronavirus,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;Dems called it VERY wrong!&#8221;
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So, the Coronavirus, which started in China and spread to various countries throughout the world, but very slowly in the U.S. because President Trump closed our border, and ended flights, VERY EARLY, is now being blamed, by the Do Nothing Democrats, to be the fault of “Trump”.
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1233256774964273152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;
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The Do Nothing Democrats were busy wasting time on the Immigration Hoax, &amp; anything else they could do to make the Republican Party look bad, while I was busy calling early BORDER &amp; FLIGHT closings, putting us way ahead in our battle with Coronavirus. Dems called it VERY wrong!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1233266386291580931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, joined forces to take a swipe at Trump in a joint statement about coronavirus.
&#8220;The United States government must do more to address the spread of the deadly coronavirus in a smart, strategic, and serious way and we stand ready to work in a bipartisan fashion in Congress and with the administration to achieve this necessary goal,&#8221; the statement read. &#8220;Lives are at stake — this is not the time for name-calling or playing politics.&#8221;
The Democratic leaders also demanded that language be inserted in any legislation to prevent Trump from spending coronavirus money on anything else.
While Democratic leaders are busy complaining about Trump, his administration has taken swift action to address the growing threat of coronavirus. On Wednesday, Trump put Vice President Mike Pence in charge of leading the country&#8217;s coronavirus response, and on Thursday, Pence said the quick action taken by the federal government — and Trump — is reducing the threat.
&#8220;We continue to prepare for whatever may come, but the reality is that because of the actions that President Trump took &#8230; literally, you know, ending travel, closing our borders to people coming in from China, establishing a quarantine process, setting up a task force,&#8221; Pence said on Fox News. &#8220;I mean if the president hadn’t taken those unprecedented steps we’d be in a very different place today.&#8221;
Trump also praised Pence&#8217;s effort, along with government officials working to stem the crisis.
&#8220;Congratulations and thank you to our great Vice President &amp; all of the many professionals doing such a fine job at CDC &amp; all other agencies on the Coronavirus situation,&#8221; the president said. &#8220;Only a very small number in U.S., &amp; China numbers look to be going down. All countries working well together!&#8221;
But Trump also blasted liberals — and their news outlets — for trying to &#8220;stoke&#8221; fear over the coronavirus.
&#8220;&#8216;Anti-Trump Network @CNN doing whatever it can to stoke a national Coronavirus panic. The far left Network pretty much ignoring anyone who they interview who doesn’t blame President Trump,'&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;Media refuses to discuss the great job our professionals are doing!&#8221;
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“Anti-Trump Network <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNN</a> doing whatever it can to stoke a national Coronavirus panic. The far left Network pretty much ignoring anyone who they interview who doesn’t blame President Trump.” <a href="https://twitter.com/trish_regan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@trish_regan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FoxNews</a> Media refuses to discuss the great job our professionals are doing!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1233208695099666433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/four-key-points-about-coronavirus-and-the-democrats-political-games">SHAPIRO: Four Key Points About Coronavirus And The Democrats’ Political Games</a>

President Trump Meets With African American Leaders In The Cabinet Room

Trump Blasts Democrats For ‘Wasting Time’ Amid Growing Coronavirus Threat

Charles Schumer

Nancy Pelosi

On Wednesday night, comedian Jimmy Kimmel took aim at Vice President Mike Pence&#8217;s Christian faith once again, jokingly suggesting that he has no plan to stop the coronavirus other than engaging in superstitious nonsense like abstinence.
During his opening monologue, Kimmel reacted to the news that President Donald Trump has tapped Mike Pence to combat the coronavirus, mockingly asserting that perhaps the president wants to kill Mike Pence by handing over such a task to him.
&#8220;Didn&#8217;t it seem Pence didn&#8217;t know that was going to happen? &#8216;I hope the virus isn&#8217;t spread by kissing ass, because if it is, they&#8217;ve got the wrong guy!&#8217; Seriously,&#8221; Kimmel said, as reported by <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/kristine-marsh/2020/02/27/kimmel-mocks-mike-pences-faith-whats-his-plan-stop-virus">Newsbusters</a>.  &#8220;Mike Pence is in trouble. Why is Mike Pence, why is Mike Pence in charge? What is his plan to stop the virus, abstinence? I think Trump might be trying to kill him, I really do.&#8221;
The jokes prompted loud applause and laughter from Kimmel&#8217;s audience.
Jimmy Kimmel, an avowed critic of President Trump, has previously used Mike Pence&#8217;s Christian faith as fuel for his jokes. When hosting the Oscars in 2019, he famously joked that movies like &#8220;Call Me By Your Name,&#8221; which depicted a gay relationship between a mature 25-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy, were created specifically to upset Christians like Mike Pence.
<blockquote>Another young man nominated for the first time is Timothée Chalamet tonight. Look at that tux. Are you having fun? This is a big deal. He&#8217;s missing &#8220;Paw Patrol&#8221; to be here tonight. Don&#8217;t worry, Ryder and his team of pups saved the day. He&#8217;s the star of a small but powerful story &#8220;Call Me by Your Name.&#8221; Only two of the best picture movies made more than $100 million. That&#8217;s not the point. We don&#8217;t make films for money. We make them to upset Mike Pence. Right?</blockquote>
On Wednesday, Trump gave a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-vice-president-pence-members-coronavirus-task-force-press-conference/">press conference</a> in which he assured Americans that the federal government is taking action to ensure that the coronavirus does not become a pandemic.
“I have just received another briefing from a great group of talented people on the virus that is going around to various parts of the world,” said the president. “We have, through some very good early decisions — decisions that were actually ridiculed at the beginning — we closed up our borders to flights coming in from certain areas, areas that were hit by the coronavirus and hit pretty hard.  And we did it very early … and it turned out to be a very good thing.”
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“And the number one priority from our standpoint is the health and safety of the American people,” he continued. “And that’s the way I viewed it when I made that decision. Because of all we’ve done, the risk to the American people remains very low. We have the greatest experts in the world — really, in the world, right here — people that are called upon by other countries when things like this happen. We’re ready to adapt and we’re ready to do whatever we have to as the disease spreads, if it spreads.”
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