Remarks Trump, Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing, 03-17-2020

[mahatmakanejeeves]

PRESS BRIEFINGS

Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing
HEALTHCARE

Issued on: March 17, 2020

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
11:39 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, everyone. Thank you. Progress being made. And I appreciate you all joining us.

{snip}

Earlier this morning, I spoke with executives from America’s fast-food industry — Wendy’s, McDonald’s, all of the big ones, Burger King — and they were great. We were talking about the pick-ups in light of yesterday’s guidance, you heard, to avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, or public food courts. We discussed the important role that the drive-through, pick-up, and delivery service can play in the weeks ahead.

So that’s happening, and they have been fantastic. They have been absolutely fantastic. And they’ve been doing it already. But they’re keeping it open and smaller staffs. They’re very capable people and very capable companies, and they’re doing it, the pick-ups.

{snip}

So with that, I’d like to just introduce our great Vice President, Mike Pence. He’ll say a few words, and then I’ll make some other introductions.

Thank you very much.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Mr. President. Good morning. It should be very clear to the American people that President Trump has initiated not only a whole-of-government approach, but a whole-of-America approach. And the President’s interaction, even today and through the course of this day, with leaders in industry around the country, reflects that we’re not only bringing the full weight of the federal government to bear, but the full weight of the American economy.

And I know I speak on behalf of the President when I say how inspired we are at the way the American people have stepped up and the way that American businesses, large and small, have stepped up. It’s truly been inspiring.

snip}

Q China and other have others have criticized you for using the phrase “Chinese virus.” How do you feel about that? Are you going to continue using that phrase?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, China was putting out information, which was false, that our military gave this to them. That was false. And rather than having an argument, I said I have to call it where it came from; it did come from China. So I think it’s a very accurate term. But, no, I didn’t appreciate the fact that China was saying that our military gave it to them. Our military did not give — give it to anybody.

Q But the critics say using that phrase creates a stigma.

THE PRESIDENT: No, I don’t think so. No, I think saying that our military gave it to them creates a stigma.

snip

[Stuart G]

1. He is much too stupid to know what he says is mean and "stupid" k and r