cnbc--2020-03-31--Trump calls for $2 trillion infrastructure package as part of coronavirus response

Sergio Hernandez works on the median just east of the new I-25 interchange in Castle Rock , Colorado .
President Donald Trump is ready to spend again .
Four days after signing an unprecedented $ 2 trillion relief bill to blunt the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic , the president on Tuesday called for the U.S. to spend another couple trillion bucks on a massive infrastructure package .
In a tweet , he wrote that `` this is the time '' to craft an infrastructure overhaul with U.S. interest rates at zero during the crisis .
`` It should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trillion Dollars , and be focused solely on jobs and rebuilding the once great infrastructure of our Country !
Phase 4 , '' the president said , referencing the three pieces of emergency legislation lawmakers have already passed to combat the outbreak rampaging across the U.S. Trump has long pushed for a proposal to revamp American roads , bridges and airports , and Democratic congressional leaders saw the issue as a key area where they could cooperate with the Republican president when he first took office .
But efforts to put together a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last April , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Trump and Democrats agreed on the outline of a $ 2 trillion package .
A month later , Trump then walked out of an infrastructure meeting , saying he would not work with Democrats on the issue while they investigated his administration .
Circumstances have changed : The House impeached Trump in December and the Senate acquitted him in February .
COVID-19 has shredded the U.S. economy , jammed hospitals and stretched stores of health-care equipment , making federal intervention more appealing across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has pushed for infrastructure investment as part of the next phase of the federal response .
She wants components related to health care and the digital economy .
Schumer , meanwhile , has pushed for a `` Marshall Plan '' to strengthen the U.S. public health infrastructure .
He has touted emergency funding for hospitals and equipment included in the $ 2 trillion package signed into law last week .
Republicans — who control the Senate — may not have an appetite for more historic federal action after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. history last week .
Spokespeople for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy did not immediately respond to requests to comment on Trump 's tweet .
At least one Senate Republican cheered Trump 's call for infrastructure improvements — though he did not endorse spending $ 2 trillion .
Sen. John Barrasso , R-Wyo.
, called on Tuesday to pass an existing bipartisan Senate highway bill that is `` ready to go . ''
The Environment and Public Works Committee , which the senator chairs , unanimously backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
The House and Senate are not expected to return to Washington before April 20 .
The calls for another relief package come as COVID-19 spreads across the country .
The U.S. now has more than 164,000 cases of the disease , easily the most in the world , and at least 3,170 deaths have been linked to it , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
Business closures aimed to stop the pandemic 's spread led to a record 3.3 million people filing unemployment claims last week .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimated job losses from the crisis could reach a staggering 47 million .

Sergio Hernandez works on the median just east of the new I-25 interchange in Castle Rock, Colorado.
President Donald Trump is ready to spend again.
Four days after signing an unprecedented $2 trillion relief bill to blunt the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic, the president on Tuesday called for the U.S. to spend another couple trillion bucks on a massive infrastructure package. In a tweet, he wrote that "this is the time" to craft an infrastructure overhaul with U.S. interest rates at zero during the crisis.
"It should be VERY BIG & BOLD, Two Trillion Dollars, and be focused solely on jobs and rebuilding the once great infrastructure of our Country! Phase 4," the president said, referencing the three pieces of emergency legislation lawmakers have already passed to combat the outbreak rampaging across the U.S.
Donald Trump tweet
Trump has long pushed for a proposal to revamp American roads, bridges and airports, and Democratic congressional leaders saw the issue as a key area where they could cooperate with the Republican president when he first took office. But efforts to put together a sprawling infrastructure plan have fallen apart.
Last April, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Trump and Democrats agreed on the outline of a $2 trillion package. A month later, Trump then walked out of an infrastructure meeting, saying he would not work with Democrats on the issue while they investigated his administration.
Circumstances have changed: The House impeached Trump in December and the Senate acquitted him in February. COVID-19 has shredded the U.S. economy, jammed hospitals and stretched stores of health-care equipment, making federal intervention more appealing across the ideological spectrum.
In interviews this week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has pushed for infrastructure investment as part of the next phase of the federal response. She wants components related to health care and the digital economy.
Schumer, meanwhile, has pushed for a "Marshall Plan" to strengthen the U.S. public health infrastructure. He has touted emergency funding for hospitals and equipment included in the $2 trillion package signed into law last week.
Republicans — who control the Senate — may not have an appetite for more historic federal action after passing the largest emergency spending measure in U.S. history last week. Spokespeople for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy did not immediately respond to requests to comment on Trump's tweet.
At least one Senate Republican cheered Trump's call for infrastructure improvements — though he did not endorse spending $2 trillion. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., called on Tuesday to pass an existing bipartisan Senate highway bill that is "ready to go."
John Barrasso tweet
The Environment and Public Works Committee, which the senator chairs, unanimously backed the $287 billion highway plan last year.
The House and Senate are not expected to return to Washington before April 20.
The calls for another relief package come as COVID-19 spreads across the country. The U.S. now has more than 164,000 cases of the disease, easily the most in the world, and at least 3,170 deaths have been linked to it, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Business closures aimed to stop the pandemic's spread led to a record 3.3 million people filing unemployment claims last week. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has estimated job losses from the crisis could reach a staggering 47 million.
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cnbc--2020-03-31--House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the country must move toward vote by mail, setting up a fight with T

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the country must move toward vote by mail, setting up a fight with Trump

US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks to the press after the House passed a $ 2 trillion stimulus bill , on March 27 , 2020 , at the US Capitol in Washington , DC .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday that America needs to move toward a `` vote by mail '' system to give citizens a safe way to elect their lawmakers while the coronavirus makes it dangerous to congregate .
`` In terms of the elections , I think we 'll probably be moving to vote by mail , '' Pelosi said in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we wanted to have more resources in this third bill that just was signed by the president , to get those resources to the states to facilitate the reality of life : that we are going to have to have more vote by mail . ''
Her position is in direct conflict with that of President Donald Trump who on Monday warned that voting by mail would hurt the Republican Party .
Last Friday , Trump signed the third installment of the coronavirus relief package , a $ 2 trillion economic stimulus bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 880-page legislation offers relief to individuals , businesses and health facilities .
It includes direct payments to individuals , stronger unemployment insurance , loans and grants to businesses , and more resources for hospitals , states and municipalities .
While $ 400 million in election assistance for states was included in the package , it was far less than Democrats ' original request .
Pelosi is now angling to revisit election reform in a `` phase 4 '' package that Congress is beginning to address .
Pelosi suggested that a vote-by-mail system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election system . ''
Already , more than a dozen states and U.S. territories have either postponed their primaries or moved to a vote-by-mail system amid the pandemic .
But Trump in a television interview on Monday dismissed efforts to push for a vote-by-mail system and other reforms to make voting easier amid the pandemic .
He said these types of reforms would damage the Republican Party .
`` The things they had in there were crazy .
They had things , levels of voting that if you 'd ever agreed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican elected in this country again , '' Trump said on Fox News .
`` They had things in there about election days and what you do and all sorts of clawbacks .
They had things that were just totally crazy and had nothing to do with workers that lost their jobs and companies that we have to save . ''

US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks to the press after the House passed a $2 trillion stimulus bill, on March 27, 2020, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday that America needs to move toward a "vote by mail" system to give citizens a safe way to elect their lawmakers while the coronavirus makes it dangerous to congregate.
"In terms of the elections, I think we'll probably be moving to vote by mail," Pelosi said in an interview on MSNBC. "That's why we wanted to have more resources in this third bill that just was signed by the president, to get those resources to the states to facilitate the reality of life: that we are going to have to have more vote by mail."
Her position is in direct conflict with that of President Donald Trump who on Monday warned that voting by mail would hurt the Republican Party.
Last Friday, Trump signed the third installment of the coronavirus relief package, a $2 trillion economic stimulus bill to help prop up the economy. The 880-page legislation offers relief to individuals, businesses and health facilities. It includes direct payments to individuals, stronger unemployment insurance, loans and grants to businesses, and more resources for hospitals, states and municipalities.
While $400 million in election assistance for states was included in the package, it was far less than Democrats' original request. Pelosi is now angling to revisit election reform in a "phase 4" package that Congress is beginning to address.
Pelosi suggested that a vote-by-mail system would not damage "the integrity of the election system."
Already, more than a dozen states and U.S. territories have either postponed their primaries or moved to a vote-by-mail system amid the pandemic.
But Trump in a television interview on Monday dismissed efforts to push for a vote-by-mail system and other reforms to make voting easier amid the pandemic. He said these types of reforms would damage the Republican Party.
"The things they had in there were crazy. They had things, levels of voting that if you'd ever agreed to it, you'd never have a Republican elected in this country again," Trump said on Fox News. "They had things in there about election days and what you do and all sorts of clawbacks. They had things that were just totally crazy and had nothing to do with workers that lost their jobs and companies that we have to save."


cnbc--2020-03-31--Florida's GOP senators go after China on coronavirus, as DeSantis faces scrutiny at home

Florida 's Republican senators took to the airwaves on Tuesday morning to hit China over its handling of the COVID-19 crisis , as the state 's GOP governor continues to face scrutiny at home over his refusal to issue a statewide shelter-in-place order .
`` We clearly would n't have had the same problem if China had been transparent , '' Sen. Rick Scott said on CNBC 's `` Squawk Box . ''
`` So when anybody thinks about buying anything from China in the future , just remember the Chinese government is a significant culprit in this pandemic because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added , at another point in the interview : `` If China keeps creating these — if somehow these viruses keep coming out of there — we 're going to have to figure out in this country to be more like Taiwan and South Korea that take these things seriously and stop the spread early . ''
Sen. Marco Rubio told Fox Business ' Maria Bartiromo that `` the Chinese have never been honest .
The Chinese Communist Party lies about all sorts of things . ''
`` Let there be no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Communist Party to be transparent , and open up to the world , and disclose this early , has cost the lives of people around the world , has caused the infections of people around the world , and caused this to spread faster and further than it needed to , '' Rubio said .
The comments come as the flu-like respiratory infection bears down on the Sunshine State .
Florida has more than 5,704 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
At least 71 people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It has sickened more than 160,000 across the United States and killed at least 3,170 .
Gov .
Ron DeSantis , a Republican , issued a stay-at-home order covering the southern region of the state on Monday that will last through April 15 .
Local Democrats and some medical professionals have pushed him to go further , calling for a statewide lockdown , as dozens of states containing more than half the U.S. population have already done .
With more than 21 million residents , according to census estimates , Florida is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is under a statewide `` stay at home '' order , and Texas , which is not .
New York , the fourth-biggest state by population and the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States , is under a lockdown order as well .
California and New York have Democratic governors .
Neither Texas , which has a Republican governor , nor Florida have been as hard-hit by the virus as California and New York .
DeSantis has defended his decision not to close beaches statewide , arguing that the open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus .
`` Do you hear the same people complaining about the NYC Subway system being open ? ''
DeSantis told reporters , according to the Orlando Sentinel .
`` I mean , give me a break .
Which one is more conducive to having COVID-19 spread or any respiratory virus ?
It 's not even close . ''
Scott , who said he favored tough measures including a halt to domestic air travel , refused to weigh in on DeSantis ' approach , saying he would not `` second guess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including President Donald Trump , have also sought to cast the blame for the spread of coronavirus on China , the country where it was first identified late last year .
Trump has called coronavirus the `` Chinese virus '' and said that the Chinese government could have stopped it from spreading to other countries .
Trump 's economic agenda has been marked by an aggressive trade dispute with China , the U.S. ' chief financial rival .
China is notorious for its tight control of information that could be damaging to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vast censorship apparatus , maintains a grip on domestic media , and was accused of concealing information about the 2003 SARS outbreak in the country .
The country originally reprimanded a doctor , Dr. Li Wenliang , who spread early warnings about coronavirus and died from the disease .
Party officials later apologized .
Scott and Rubio both suggested that China should pay a financial price for its handling of the coronavirus .
While Scott urged consumers to reconsider purchases of Chinese goods , Rubio doubled down on his calls to disentangle American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would say it was something we needed to do anyway , irrespective , '' Rubio said .
`` You can not be a country that relies on all of your basic products to be made abroad , or the elements of your products to be made abroad . ''
Rubio said a `` perfect example '' was medical ventilators , which are needed to treat the most extreme cases of COVID-19 .
`` We can make them in the United States .
But the component pieces that our largest makers relied on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Rubio said .
`` And so we 've got to have the ability to do that here . ''

watch now
Florida's Republican senators took to the airwaves on Tuesday morning to hit China over its handling of the COVID-19 crisis, as the state's GOP governor continues to face scrutiny at home over his refusal to issue a statewide shelter-in-place order. "We clearly wouldn't have had the same problem if China had been transparent," Sen. Rick Scott said on CNBC's "Squawk Box." "So when anybody thinks about buying anything from China in the future, just remember the Chinese government is a significant culprit in this pandemic because they clearly were not transparent." He added, at another point in the interview: "If China keeps creating these — if somehow these viruses keep coming out of there — we're going to have to figure out in this country to be more like Taiwan and South Korea that take these things seriously and stop the spread early."
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol. Alex Wong | Getty Images
Sen. Marco Rubio told Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo that "the Chinese have never been honest. The Chinese Communist Party lies about all sorts of things." "Let there be no doubt: The failure of the Chinese Communist Party to be transparent, and open up to the world, and disclose this early, has cost the lives of people around the world, has caused the infections of people around the world, and caused this to spread faster and further than it needed to," Rubio said. The comments come as the flu-like respiratory infection bears down on the Sunshine State. Florida has more than 5,704 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. At least 71 people in the state have died of the disease. It has sickened more than 160,000 across the United States and killed at least 3,170.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis talks during a news conference at the Broward County mobile testing site at CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, Fla., on March 19, 2020. David Santiago | Miami Herald | Getty Images
Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, issued a stay-at-home order covering the southern region of the state on Monday that will last through April 15. Local Democrats and some medical professionals have pushed him to go further, calling for a statewide lockdown, as dozens of states containing more than half the U.S. population have already done. With more than 21 million residents, according to census estimates, Florida is the third-most-populous state behind California, which is under a statewide "stay at home" order, and Texas, which is not. New York, the fourth-biggest state by population and the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, is under a lockdown order as well. California and New York have Democratic governors. Neither Texas, which has a Republican governor, nor Florida have been as hard-hit by the virus as California and New York. DeSantis has defended his decision not to close beaches statewide, arguing that the open spaces are not conducive to the spread of the virus.
Englewood Beach in Charlotte County Florida was crowded on Saturday, March 20, 2020. Thomas O'Neill | NurPhoto | Getty Images
"Do you hear the same people complaining about the NYC Subway system being open?" DeSantis told reporters, according to the Orlando Sentinel. "I mean, give me a break. Which one is more conducive to having COVID-19 spread or any respiratory virus? It's not even close." Scott, who said he favored tough measures including a halt to domestic air travel, refused to weigh in on DeSantis' approach, saying he would not "second guess" the governor. Other Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have also sought to cast the blame for the spread of coronavirus on China, the country where it was first identified late last year. Trump has called coronavirus the "Chinese virus" and said that the Chinese government could have stopped it from spreading to other countries. Trump's economic agenda has been marked by an aggressive trade dispute with China, the U.S.' chief financial rival. China is notorious for its tight control of information that could be damaging to its ruling party. The state has a vast censorship apparatus, maintains a grip on domestic media, and was accused of concealing information about the 2003 SARS outbreak in the country. The country originally reprimanded a doctor, Dr. Li Wenliang, who spread early warnings about coronavirus and died from the disease. Party officials later apologized.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Eric Jones Vice President Mike Pence, Chad F. Wolf, the acting Secretary of Homeland Security and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) stand together during a press conference after participating in a discussion held at Port Everglades about possible coronavirus issues that the cruise line company leaders are experiencing on Saturday on March 07, 2020 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty Images
Scott and Rubio both suggested that China should pay a financial price for its handling of the coronavirus. While Scott urged consumers to reconsider purchases of Chinese goods, Rubio doubled down on his calls to disentangle American supply chains from the country. "I would say it was something we needed to do anyway, irrespective," Rubio said. "You cannot be a country that relies on all of your basic products to be made abroad, or the elements of your products to be made abroad." Rubio said a "perfect example" was medical ventilators, which are needed to treat the most extreme cases of COVID-19. "We can make them in the United States. But the component pieces that our largest makers relied on came from China or somewhere else," Rubio said. "And so we've got to have the ability to do that here."


cnbc--2020-03-31--CNN host Chris Cuomo, brother of NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has coronavirus

Chris Cuomo , the CNN anchor who is the brother of New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , has been diagnosed with the coronavirus , he announced Tuesday .
Chris Cuomo 's disclosure came as his governor brother briefed reporters on the increasing numbers of COVID-19 in New York state , where Chris Cuomo is now one of nearly 76,000 Empire State residents with the disease .
`` I have been exposed to people in recent days who have subsequently tested positive and I had fevers , chills and shortness of breath , '' Chris Cuomo wrote in a Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just hope I did n't give it to the kids and Cristina .
That would make me feel worse than this illness ! ''
CNN media journalist Brian Stelter wrote on Twitter that the network informed staffers in New York of Chris Cuomo 's diagnosis .
`` Chris is feeling well , and will continue anchoring from home , '' Stelter wrote in the tweet .
CNN reported that Cuomo , who already had been doing broadcasts from his home as part of social-distancing efforts , was last in the network 's Manhattan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third person connected to CNN 's work space to be diagnosed with the virus , according to the network .

Chris Cuomo, the CNN anchor who is the brother of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, he announced Tuesday.
Chris Cuomo's disclosure came as his governor brother briefed reporters on the increasing numbers of COVID-19 in New York state, where Chris Cuomo is now one of nearly 76,000 Empire State residents with the disease.
"I have been exposed to people in recent days who have subsequently tested positive and I had fevers, chills and shortness of breath," Chris Cuomo wrote in a Twitter post revealing his infection.
"I just hope I didn't give it to the kids and Cristina. That would make me feel worse than this illness!"
Tweet
CNN media journalist Brian Stelter wrote on Twitter that the network informed staffers in New York of Chris Cuomo's diagnosis.
"Chris is feeling well, and will continue anchoring from home," Stelter wrote in the tweet.
CNN reported that Cuomo, who already had been doing broadcasts from his home as part of social-distancing efforts, was last in the network's Manhattan offices on Friday. He is the third person connected to CNN's work space to be diagnosed with the virus, according to the network.


cnbc--2020-03-31--State Department confirms first official to die from coronavirus

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at the U.S. State Department January 07 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
WASHINGTON — The nation 's top diplomat said Tuesday that a State Department official died of COVID-19 .
`` We 've had a State Department official pass away as a result of this [ corona ] virus , '' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a press briefing .
`` We 've had other members of the team come down with COVID-19 as well .
I think we are now up to four or five dozen people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that includes our locally employed staff , the full State Department team , '' Pompeo said , without adding further details about the individual .
The Pentagon confirmed Monday that a U.S. service member who tested positive for coronavirus had died .
The New Jersey Army National Guardsman was hospitalized on March 21 and died Saturday from the virus .
`` Today is a sad day for the Department of Defense as we have lost our first American service member — active , reserve or Guard — to coronavirus , '' wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
`` This is a stinging loss for our military community , and our condolences go out to his family , friends , civilian co-workers and the entire National Guard community . ''

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at the U.S. State Department January 07, 2020 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON — The nation's top diplomat said Tuesday that a State Department official died of COVID-19.
"We've had a State Department official pass away as a result of this [corona]virus," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a press briefing.
"We've had other members of the team come down with COVID-19 as well. I think we are now up to four or five dozen people who have tested positively inside the State Department, that includes our locally employed staff, the full State Department team," Pompeo said, without adding further details about the individual.
The Pentagon confirmed Monday that a U.S. service member who tested positive for coronavirus had died. The New Jersey Army National Guardsman was hospitalized on March 21 and died Saturday from the virus.
"Today is a sad day for the Department of Defense as we have lost our first American service member — active, reserve or Guard — to coronavirus," wrote Secretary of Defense Mark Esper in a statement. "This is a stinging loss for our military community, and our condolences go out to his family, friends, civilian co-workers and the entire National Guard community."


cnbc--2020-03-31--'Opportunity of the century': How the coronavirus crisis could establish China as a global leader

The coronavirus crisis could be the `` opportunity of the century '' for China to cement its place as a global power , a professor told CNBC on Tuesday .
`` I think this is the opportunity of the century for China to build trust in the world , which it has found so difficult to come by as a rising nation , and to rebuild its international image — China does n't ( want to ) waste an opportunity like this , '' Keyu Jin , associate professor of economics at LSE , told CNBC 's `` Squawk Box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had seized opportunities to elevate its position during other recent economic crises , such as the financial crisis and through its support of the European debt market .
`` We 've seen it solidify and make these ties stronger and more mature , '' Jin said .
`` And even though there has been a lot of tension between the U.S. and China recently , I believe the Chinese stance and direction is still to come out as a country that will help the U.S. rather than be a bystander — it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and help whoever needs it , especially developing countries . ''
`` This is their chance , they 're looking at the long-run game , '' she said .
The new strain of coronavirus , known as COVID-19 , was first reported in December in the Chinese city of Wuhan .
While China has reportedly deployed medics and sent equipment to nations struggling with the coronavirus overseas , the country has faced criticism over its own handling of the virus , which is thought to have originated in a wildlife market , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese authorities announced a temporary ban on the trade of wild animals in wet markets , supermarkets , restaurants and e-commerce platforms — but experts and wildlife organizations have called for a permanent ban to help prevent future pandemics .
China has also been criticized for a lack of transparency throughout the outbreak .
In the U.S. , the Trump administration has frequently dubbed COVID-19 the `` Wuhan virus '' or the `` Chinese virus , '' with the President suggesting earlier this month that some blame lies with the Chinese Communist Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.K. government has suggested China failed to adequately report the true scale of the outbreak .
During a press briefing this month , China 's foreign ministry objected to the term `` Wuhan coronavirus , '' arguing it would stigmatize the country .
Officials have claimed the virus may not have originated in China , with one spokesperson accusing the U.S. of a lack of transparency and suggesting the virus could even have been imported to China by the American military .
The WHO has cautioned against blaming individual countries for the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at nations with a high number of cases could discourage accurate reporting on domestic outbreaks .
According to the LSE 's Jin , who spoke to CNBC from Beijing , there was rising anti-U.S. sentiment in China due to the American government 's stance on the origin of the coronavirus .
`` But I think the diplomatic stance , the official stance , is shifting — they want to promote more coordination , cooperation , want to put aside these differences , '' she said .
`` We 're not going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given that half the economy is frozen now .
That will guide some of the popular sentiment and ( the government will ) try to convince the Chinese people that this is the chance for China to do more things for the world — not just out of a strategic interest , but also out of a humanitarian imperative . ''
More than 800,000 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed around the world to date , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University , with 38,743 deaths .

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with experts during his visit to the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, March 2, 2020. Yan Yan | Xinhua News Agency | Getty Images
The coronavirus crisis could be the "opportunity of the century" for China to cement its place as a global power, a professor told CNBC on Tuesday. "I think this is the opportunity of the century for China to build trust in the world, which it has found so difficult to come by as a rising nation, and to rebuild its international image — China doesn't (want to) waste an opportunity like this," Keyu Jin, associate professor of economics at LSE, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe." She added that China had seized opportunities to elevate its position during other recent economic crises, such as the financial crisis and through its support of the European debt market.
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"We've seen it solidify and make these ties stronger and more mature," Jin said. "And even though there has been a lot of tension between the U.S. and China recently, I believe the Chinese stance and direction is still to come out as a country that will help the U.S. rather than be a bystander — it will guarantee critical medical supplies and equipment, and help whoever needs it, especially developing countries."
"This is their chance, they're looking at the long-run game," she said.
Blame game
The new strain of coronavirus, known as COVID-19, was first reported in December in the Chinese city of Wuhan. While China has reportedly deployed medics and sent equipment to nations struggling with the coronavirus overseas, the country has faced criticism over its own handling of the virus, which is thought to have originated in a wildlife market, or wet market.
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In late January, Chinese authorities announced a temporary ban on the trade of wild animals in wet markets, supermarkets, restaurants and e-commerce platforms — but experts and wildlife organizations have called for a permanent ban to help prevent future pandemics. China has also been criticized for a lack of transparency throughout the outbreak. In the U.S., the Trump administration has frequently dubbed COVID-19 the "Wuhan virus" or the "Chinese virus," with the President suggesting earlier this month that some blame lies with the Chinese Communist Party for the pandemic. Meanwhile, the U.K. government has suggested China failed to adequately report the true scale of the outbreak.
US President Donald Trump participates in a meeting with Supply Chain Distributors to discuss the response to COVID-19 at the White House in Washington, DC, on March 29, 2020. Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images
During a press briefing this month, China's foreign ministry objected to the term "Wuhan coronavirus," arguing it would stigmatize the country. Officials have claimed the virus may not have originated in China, with one spokesperson accusing the U.S. of a lack of transparency and suggesting the virus could even have been imported to China by the American military. Tweet The WHO has cautioned against blaming individual countries for the spread of COVID-19, warning that pointing fingers at nations with a high number of cases could discourage accurate reporting on domestic outbreaks. According to the LSE's Jin, who spoke to CNBC from Beijing, there was rising anti-U.S. sentiment in China due to the American government's stance on the origin of the coronavirus.
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cnbc--2020-03-31--Department of Defense watchdog will lead Inspector General committee for $2 trillion coronavirus sti

Department of Defense watchdog will lead Inspector General committee for $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package

The Defense Department 's internal watchdog will serve as newly named chair of The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee , a body created to oversee the roughly $ 2 trillion stimulus deal that President Donald Trump signed into law last week in response to the economic devastation wrought by the coronavirus outbreak .
Glenn Fine , the acting inspector general of the Department of Defense , was appointed by another committee of IGs assigned by the new law to name a chair .
Fine will oversee a board of fellow inspectors general , all responsible for monitoring their respective departments .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health and Human Services , Homeland Security , Justice , Labor , as well as the Treasury , the Small Business Administration and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration .
Fine 's authority will be expansive .
He can issue subpoenas and lead investigations of those in and outside the government , including executives accepting federal aid .
Fine 's job as committee chair is to help `` prevent waste , fraud , and abuse '' of the more than $ 2 trillion the U.S. is spending on recovery .
Prior to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked for eleven years as inspector general for the Department of Justice under both Democratic and Republican presidents .
The Pandemic Response committee is one of three such bodies written into the law that will provide oversight over the massive stimulus package .
Fine 's appointment comes as the independence of another of the key watchdogs has been put into question .
Trump on Friday indicated he would push back against powers granted to a special inspector general who will help oversee a $ 500 billion bailout fund run by Treasury Secretary Steven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dole out funds to struggling industries including airlines .
Trump wrote in a signing statement attached to the new law that he believes that inspector general needs his permission before letting Congress know if Mnuchin or Treasury block efforts to glean information .
Trump will appoint that inspector general , who will then be approved by the Republican-led Senate .
Democrats pushed for that IG to ensure transparency over the disbursement of the fund that they once dubbed a slush fund .
They have stressed that the inspector general will be only one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion .
A congressional committee will provide additional oversight .
`` The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee is critical to holding President Trump and his administration accountable to the letter and spirit of the law , '' he said .
`` Glenn Fine has a good reputation as a tough federal prosecutor and former DOJ Inspector General , and must exercise his full oversight authority to ensure that the Trump administration implements the CARES Act as intended , '' he said .

The Defense Department's internal watchdog will serve as newly named chair of The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, a body created to oversee the roughly $2 trillion stimulus deal that President Donald Trump signed into law last week in response to the economic devastation wrought by the coronavirus outbreak.
Glenn Fine, the acting inspector general of the Department of Defense, was appointed by another committee of IGs assigned by the new law to name a chair.
Fine will oversee a board of fellow inspectors general, all responsible for monitoring their respective departments. They include the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Justice, Labor, as well as the Treasury, the Small Business Administration and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Fine's authority will be expansive. He can issue subpoenas and lead investigations of those in and outside the government, including executives accepting federal aid. Fine's job as committee chair is to help "prevent waste, fraud, and abuse" of the more than $2 trillion the U.S. is spending on recovery.
Prior to joining the Department of Defense, Fine worked for eleven years as inspector general for the Department of Justice under both Democratic and Republican presidents.
The Pandemic Response committee is one of three such bodies written into the law that will provide oversight over the massive stimulus package.
Fine's appointment comes as the independence of another of the key watchdogs has been put into question.
Trump on Friday indicated he would push back against powers granted to a special inspector general who will help oversee a $500 billion bailout fund run by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. That fund is meant to dole out funds to struggling industries including airlines.
Trump wrote in a signing statement attached to the new law that he believes that inspector general needs his permission before letting Congress know if Mnuchin or Treasury block efforts to glean information.
Trump will appoint that inspector general, who will then be approved by the Republican-led Senate.
Democrats pushed for that IG to ensure transparency over the disbursement of the fund that they once dubbed a slush fund. They have stressed that the inspector general will be only one layer of oversight over the $500 billion. A congressional committee will provide additional oversight.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer applauded Fine's appointment in a statement Monday.
"The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee is critical to holding President Trump and his administration accountable to the letter and spirit of the law," he said.
"Glenn Fine has a good reputation as a tough federal prosecutor and former DOJ Inspector General, and must exercise his full oversight authority to ensure that the Trump administration implements the CARES Act as intended," he said.


cnbc--2020-03-31--New Trump automobile mileage standards to gut Obama climate effort

President Donald Trump talks with auto industry leaders , including General Motors CEO Mary Barra ( L ) and United Auto Workers ( UAW ) President Dennis Williams ( R ) at the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti Township , Michigan , U.S. March 15 , 2017 .
President Donald Trump is poised to roll back ambitious Obama-era vehicle mileage standards and raise the ceiling on damaging fossil fuel emissions for years to come , gutting one of the United States ' biggest efforts against climate change .
The Trump administration is expected to release a final rule Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change — making good on the rollback after two years of Trump threatening and fighting states and a faction of automakers that opposed the move — waters down a tough Obama mileage standard that would have encouraged automakers to ramp up production of electric vehicles and more fuel-efficient gas and diesel vehicles .
`` When finalized , the rule will benefit our economy , will improve the U.S. fleet 's fuel economy , will make vehicles more affordable , and will save lives by increasing the safety of new vehicles , '' EPA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the expected release .
Opponents contend the change — gutting his predecessor 's legacy effort against climate-changing fossil fuel emissions — appears driven by Trump 's push to undo regulatory initiatives of former President Barack Obama , and say even the administration has had difficulty pointing to the kind of specific , demonstrable benefits to drivers , public health and safety or the economy that normally accompany standards changes .
The Trump administration says the looser mileage standards will allow consumers to keep buying the less fuel-efficient SUVs that U.S. drivers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will kill several hundred more Americans a year through dirtier air , compared to the Obama standards .
Even `` given the catastrophe they 're in with the coronavirus , they 're pursuing a policy that 's going to hurt public health and kill people , '' said Chet France , a former 39-year veteran of the Environmental Protection Agency , where he served as a senior official over emissions and mileage standards .
`` This is first time that an administration has pursued a policy that will net negative benefit for society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Delaware Sen. Tom Carper , the senior Democrat on the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee , called it `` the height of irresponsibility for this administration to finalize a rollback that will lead to dirtier air while our country is working around the clock to respond to a respiratory pandemic whose effects may be exacerbated by air pollution .
`` We should be enacting forward-looking environmental policy , not tying our country 's future to the dirty vehicles of the past , '' Carper said .
In Phoenix , Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappointment at the prospect of losing the Obama-era rule , which she had hoped would allow her preschool-age children to break away from TV indoors and play outside more .
Sainz reluctantly limited her daughter to a half-hour at the park daily , after the girl developed asthma , at age 3 , at their home a few minutes from a freeway .
`` I cried so many times , '' Sainz said .
`` How do you tell your daughter she ca n't be outside because of air pollution ? ''
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to roll back public health and environment regulations despite the coronavirus outbreak riveting the world 's attention .
The administration — like others before it — is facing procedural rules that will make changes adopted before the last six months of Trump 's current term tougher to throw out , even if the White House changes occupants .
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , which has been the main agency drawing up the new rules , did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday .
The standards have split the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Honda and Volkswagen siding with California and agreeing to higher standards .
Most other automakers contend the Obama-era standards were enacted hastily and will be impossible to meet because consumers have shifted dramatically away from efficient cars to SUVs and trucks .
California and about a dozen other states say they will continue resisting the Trump mileage standards in court .
Last year , 72 % of the new vehicles purchased by U.S. consumers were trucks or SUVS .
It was 51 % when the current standards went into effect in 2012 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ increases in fuel economy .
Leaked versions of the Trump administration 's latest proposal show a 1.5 % annual increase , backing off from its initial proposal simply to stop mandating increases in fuel efficiency after 2020 .
The transportation sector is the nation 's largest source of climate-changing emissions .
John Bozzella , CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation , a trade group representing automakers , said the industry still wants middle ground between the two standards , and it supports year-over-year mileage increases .
But he says the Obama-era standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to trucks and SUVs .
The Trump administration standards are likely to cause havoc in the auto industry because due to expected legal challenges , automakers wo n't know which standards they will have to obey .
`` It will be extraordinarily disruptive , '' said Richard J .
Pierce Jr. , a law professor at George Washington University who specializes in government regulations .
States and environmental groups will challenge the Trump rules , and a U.S. District Court likely will issue a temporary order shelving them until it decides whether they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be challenged with the Supreme Court , which in recent cases has voted 5-4 that a District judge ca n't issue such a nationwide order , Pierce said .
But the nation 's highest court could also keep the order in effect if it determines the groups challenging the Trump standards are likely to win .
`` We 're talking quite a long time , one to three years anyway , before we can expect to get a final decision on the merits , '' Pierce said .

President Donald Trump talks with auto industry leaders, including General Motors CEO Mary Barra (L) and United Auto Workers (UAW) President Dennis Williams (R) at the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, U.S. March 15, 2017.
President Donald Trump is poised to roll back ambitious Obama-era vehicle mileage standards and raise the ceiling on damaging fossil fuel emissions for years to come, gutting one of the United States' biggest efforts against climate change.
The Trump administration is expected to release a final rule Tuesday on mileage standards through 2026. The change — making good on the rollback after two years of Trump threatening and fighting states and a faction of automakers that opposed the move — waters down a tough Obama mileage standard that would have encouraged automakers to ramp up production of electric vehicles and more fuel-efficient gas and diesel vehicles.
"When finalized, the rule will benefit our economy, will improve the U.S. fleet's fuel economy, will make vehicles more affordable, and will save lives by increasing the safety of new vehicles," EPA spokeswoman Corry Schiermeyer said Monday, ahead of the expected release.
Opponents contend the change — gutting his predecessor's legacy effort against climate-changing fossil fuel emissions — appears driven by Trump's push to undo regulatory initiatives of former President Barack Obama, and say even the administration has had difficulty pointing to the kind of specific, demonstrable benefits to drivers, public health and safety or the economy that normally accompany standards changes.
The Trump administration says the looser mileage standards will allow consumers to keep buying the less fuel-efficient SUVs that U.S. drivers have favored for years. Opponents say it will kill several hundred more Americans a year through dirtier air, compared to the Obama standards.
Even "given the catastrophe they're in with the coronavirus, they're pursuing a policy that's going to hurt public health and kill people," said Chet France, a former 39-year veteran of the Environmental Protection Agency, where he served as a senior official over emissions and mileage standards.
"This is first time that an administration has pursued a policy that will net negative benefit for society and reduce fuel savings," France said.
Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, the senior Democrat on the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, called it "the height of irresponsibility for this administration to finalize a rollback that will lead to dirtier air while our country is working around the clock to respond to a respiratory pandemic whose effects may be exacerbated by air pollution.
"We should be enacting forward-looking environmental policy, not tying our country's future to the dirty vehicles of the past," Carper said.
In Phoenix, Arizona, meanwhile, resident Columba Sainz expressed disappointment at the prospect of losing the Obama-era rule, which she had hoped would allow her preschool-age children to break away from TV indoors and play outside more. Sainz reluctantly limited her daughter to a half-hour at the park daily, after the girl developed asthma, at age 3, at their home a few minutes from a freeway.
"I cried so many times," Sainz said. "How do you tell your daughter she can't be outside because of air pollution?"
Trump's Cabinet heads have continued a push to roll back public health and environment regulations despite the coronavirus outbreak riveting the world's attention. The administration — like others before it — is facing procedural rules that will make changes adopted before the last six months of Trump's current term tougher to throw out, even if the White House changes occupants.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has been the main agency drawing up the new rules, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
The standards have split the auto industry with Ford , BMW, Honda and Volkswagen siding with California and agreeing to higher standards. Most other automakers contend the Obama-era standards were enacted hastily and will be impossible to meet because consumers have shifted dramatically away from efficient cars to SUVs and trucks.
California and about a dozen other states say they will continue resisting the Trump mileage standards in court.
Last year, 72% of the new vehicles purchased by U.S. consumers were trucks or SUVS. It was 51% when the current standards went into effect in 2012.
The Obama administration mandated 5% annual increases in fuel economy. Leaked versions of the Trump administration's latest proposal show a 1.5% annual increase, backing off from its initial proposal simply to stop mandating increases in fuel efficiency after 2020.
The transportation sector is the nation's largest source of climate-changing emissions.
John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing automakers, said the industry still wants middle ground between the two standards, and it supports year-over-year mileage increases. But he says the Obama-era standards are outdated due to the drastic shift to trucks and SUVs.
The Trump administration standards are likely to cause havoc in the auto industry because due to expected legal challenges, automakers won't know which standards they will have to obey.
"It will be extraordinarily disruptive," said Richard J. Pierce Jr., a law professor at George Washington University who specializes in government regulations.
States and environmental groups will challenge the Trump rules, and a U.S. District Court likely will issue a temporary order shelving them until it decides whether they are legal. The temporary order likely will be challenged with the Supreme Court, which in recent cases has voted 5-4 that a District judge can't issue such a nationwide order, Pierce said. But the nation's highest court could also keep the order in effect if it determines the groups challenging the Trump standards are likely to win.
"We're talking quite a long time, one to three years anyway, before we can expect to get a final decision on the merits," Pierce said.


cnbc--2020-03-31--Ted Cruz, other senators, warn Saudis to stop using oil in 'economic warfare' against the US

Sen. Ted Cruz told CNBC on Monday he and eight other GOP senators recently ripped into the Saudi ambassador in a conference call over the oil price war with Russia that has threatened to put American producers out of business .
In a `` Squawk Box '' interview , Cruz said the call with Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was `` as candid a call , and direct a call , as I 've ever had with a foreign leader . ''
`` We quite frankly unloaded on her , '' the Texas Republican said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arabia and Russia remain locked in a price war that began after Russia earlier this month rejected an additional 1.5 million barrels per day production cut proposed by OPEC .
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude briefly dipped below $ 20 on Monday .
Brent , the international benchmark , fell to its lowest price in nearly 18 years .
Following Russia 's rejection , Saudi Arabia slashed its official oil price and announced that it will increase production to 12.3 million barrels per day when the current production cuts expire at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it unprofitable for many U.S. firms to to remain active , analysts have said .
Cruz said the senators warned that they would take action against Saudi Arabia if the `` economic warfare '' continued , though he did not mention any specific retaliatory measure .
`` We said , 'Look , there are a whole series of steps we can take to escalate foreign policy pressure ' — and we outlined a number of them — 'if you continue engaging in economic warfare against the United States , trying to drive down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploit this coronavirus crisis to drive a bunch of American producers out of business . '
'' The Saudi embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Cruz said the senators on the call were among the 13 Republicans who wrote a letter to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman earlier in March urging him to halt Saudi efforts to boost production and lower prices .
He said the lawmakers have `` historically been the strongest allies in the Senate of Saudi Arabia , '' suggesting that support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If they do n't change their course , their relationship with the United States is going to change very fundamentally , '' Cruz said .
In addition to Cruz , the Senate Republicans who signed the letter were Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska ; North Dakota 's Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven ; Ron Johnson of Wisconsin ; John Cornyn of Texas ; John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana ; John Barrasso of Wyoming ; Tom Cotton of Arkansas and James Lankford and James Inhofe of Oklahoma .
Cruz did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference call .
Princess Reema sought to pin the blame on Russia .
Cruz said he responded that Russia was not expected to be a friend to the United States , while Saudi Arabia was .
`` You are not behaving like a friend when you are trying to destroy thousands and thousands of small businesses all across Texas and the country , '' he said he told her .
`` The Saudis are hoping to drive out of business American producers , and in particular shale producers , largely in the Permian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Cruz told CNBC .
`` That behavior is wrong , and I think it is taking advantage of a country that is a friend . ''
Cruz also said he hoped that President Donald Trump , scheduled to speak with Russian leader Vladimir Putin by phone on Monday morning , would bring up the issue .
Trump said on Fox News earlier on Monday that he would bring up the price war , noting that Saudi Arabia and Russia `` both went crazy . ''
-- CNBC 's Pippa Stevens and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Sen. Ted Cruz told CNBC on Monday he and eight other GOP senators recently ripped into the Saudi ambassador in a conference call over the oil price war with Russia that has threatened to put American producers out of business.
In a "Squawk Box" interview, Cruz said the call with Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was "as candid a call, and direct a call, as I've ever had with a foreign leader."
"We quite frankly unloaded on her," the Texas Republican said.
Oil prices have plummeted as Saudi Arabia and Russia remain locked in a price war that began after Russia earlier this month rejected an additional 1.5 million barrels per day production cut proposed by OPEC.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude briefly dipped below $20 on Monday. Brent, the international benchmark, fell to its lowest price in nearly 18 years.
Following Russia's rejection, Saudi Arabia slashed its official oil price and announced that it will increase production to 12.3 million barrels per day when the current production cuts expire at the end of March. Tanking prices have made it unprofitable for many U.S. firms to to remain active, analysts have said.
Cruz said the senators warned that they would take action against Saudi Arabia if the "economic warfare" continued, though he did not mention any specific retaliatory measure.
"We said, 'Look, there are a whole series of steps we can take to escalate foreign policy pressure' — and we outlined a number of them — 'if you continue engaging in economic warfare against the United States, trying to drive down the price of oil in order to exploit this coronavirus crisis to drive a bunch of American producers out of business.'"
The Saudi embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Cruz said the senators on the call were among the 13 Republicans who wrote a letter to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman earlier in March urging him to halt Saudi efforts to boost production and lower prices. He said the lawmakers have "historically been the strongest allies in the Senate of Saudi Arabia," suggesting that support could be on the line.
"If they don't change their course, their relationship with the United States is going to change very fundamentally," Cruz said.
In addition to Cruz, the Senate Republicans who signed the letter were Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska; North Dakota's Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven; Ron Johnson of Wisconsin; John Cornyn of Texas; John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana; John Barrasso of Wyoming; Tom Cotton of Arkansas and James Lankford and James Inhofe of Oklahoma.
Cruz did not say which nine were on the conference call.
Princess Reema sought to pin the blame on Russia. Cruz said he responded that Russia was not expected to be a friend to the United States, while Saudi Arabia was.
"You are not behaving like a friend when you are trying to destroy thousands and thousands of small businesses all across Texas and the country," he said he told her.
"The Saudis are hoping to drive out of business American producers, and in particular shale producers, largely in the Permian Basin in Texas and in North Dakota," Cruz told CNBC. "That behavior is wrong, and I think it is taking advantage of a country that is a friend."
Cruz also said he hoped that President Donald Trump, scheduled to speak with Russian leader Vladimir Putin by phone on Monday morning, would bring up the issue.
Trump said on Fox News earlier on Monday that he would bring up the price war, noting that Saudi Arabia and Russia "both went crazy."
-- CNBC's Pippa Stevens and Kevin Breuninger contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-04-01--NY domestic violence programs see client numbers decline as coronavirus traps survivors at home

Domestic violence programs and shelters in New York , the state with the most confirmed coronavirus cases , are seeing a decline in at-risk clients as people stay home to prevent the spread of the outbreak .
Trauma experts warn that this could lead to more abuse .
The outbreak has left women , in particular , with few opportunities to seek help as social distancing guidelines urge people to shelter in place , forcing some women to stay home with an abuser to avoid contracting the coronavirus .
Some women who are survivors of domestic violence have either fled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear , or they have found that they have limited opportunities to seek out and receive support from domestic violence resource groups because of distancing guidelines .
`` There 's a sense of isolation , '' said Judy Harris Kluger , executive director of New York-based Sanctuary for Families .
`` If they are living with their abuser , then it 's a greater isolation and it 's a greater danger .
There is no real release . ''
Sanctuary for Families operates several emergency shelters in Brooklyn , providing housing for up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue has attracted attention from some prominent politicians .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , who is competing for the Democratic presidential nomination , has called for `` emergency shelters '' to be built for those fleeing domestic violence .
Some existing shelters have said they are aiming to put survivors in hotels .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 1 out of every 4 women and 1 out of every 7 men go through physical violence at the hands of their partner .
Women between the ages of 18 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intimate partner violence , according to information from the National Domestic Violence Hotline .
Normally , domestic violence survivors who reside with their abusers have opportunities for short respites that come in the form of a trip to the grocery store or the need to drop kids off at school .
Because of social distancing , these opportunities have been largely eliminated , leading to more periods of time spent with an abuser .
This story is based on conversations with officials from seven shelters and domestic violence programs in and around New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hard-hit metropolitan area .
In other parts of the country , like Washington , D.C. , the number of calls to hotlines from survivors have increased , according to The Washington Post , with one nonprofit , DC Safe , receiving more than 1,500 calls since March 8 .
Likewise , domestic violence shelters in Connecticut have seen an increase in the number of calls from survivors who are concerned about being stuck inside with their abusive partners because of the outbreak .
One shelter in New Orleans , which is becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has reported a slowdown in new clients .
WomenRising , a New Jersey shelter , has seen `` a decrease in calls and requests for shelter , '' but added that the shift is normal during a time of crisis .
New York , with more than 75,000 confirmed cases so far , is now regarded as the epicenter of the outbreak .
Shelters and domestic violence programs in the state have reflected the hit , with fewer people choosing to stay there out of fear of contracting the virus or fewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by these groups .
In the first week of March , just as the coronavirus was beginning to plant roots in New York state , Sakhi for South Asian Women , a nonprofit that provides services and resources to women affected by violence , saw the number of people calling its hotline decrease by 76 % from the week before .
The monthly calls overall decreased from 114 in February to 53 in March .
In January , when President Donald Trump was assuring the country that the outbreak was under control , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York shelters saw similar downward patterns as the virus spread and as health officials and the president strengthened their language in response to the pandemic .
Freedom House , an emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities that is operated by the nonprofit Barrier Free Living , is licensed for 95 beds and currently has 89 occupants .
`` Some people have panicked and gone back to their homes to live with relatives because they felt like they 'd be safer there , '' said Paul Feuerstein , CEO of Barrier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to counsel people by saying we are keeping the program as sterile as we can .
But when people are cooped up in an apartment by themselves with their kids , there is lots of opportunity for people to worry about their current situations . ''
On a larger scale , the National Domestic Violence Hotline has begun to receive calls from survivors who are specifically concerned about the coronavirus .
`` The Hotline 's call , chat and text volume remains in the average 1,800-2,000 per day range .
However , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of survivors reaching out who [ are ] concerned with COVID-19 and how their abusive partner is leveraging COVID-19 to further isolate , coerce , or increase fear in the relationship .
Between March 10 and March 26 we have had 1,216 contacts who have mentioned COVID-19 , '' said Katie Ray-Jones , chief executive officer of the National Domestic Violence Hotline .
There are many reasons a survivor of domestic violence would opt to stay at home with their abuser rather than stay in a shelter .
Sometimes survivors do n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent weeks , people were instructed to stay indoors to avoid spreading and contracting the coronavirus .
To stay at Freedom House , survivors have to go through a screening that consists of giving the staff `` a basic understanding of what the violence is '' to ensure that those seeking shelter are actually fleeing violence , according to Cynthia Amodeo , chief program officer at Barrier Free Living .
Because of shelter-in-place orders , it 's less likely that a survivor would walk in for that screening .
Survivors are always measuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of criminal justice and court programs at Safe Horizon , a nonprofit organization that has nine shelters throughout the five boroughs with total capacity of 800 beds .
`` A woman who is in a violent relationship and is thinking about going into the shelter , '' she said , `` will say , 'You know what ?
I do n't want to go into a shelter right now because I 'm afraid of my children getting infected , living in a place where it 's a shared living space . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fleeing domestic violence shared apartment space .
At many of these shelters and programs , the staff has taken drastic steps toward limiting face time with survivors .
Feuerstein of Barrier Free Living said the staff hosts teleconference calls in place of all the normal face-to-face activities to protect against the possibility of contagion .
`` Our front desk staff , we 've had to change their schedules so they 're literally working 12-hour days , three days a week , '' he said .
`` So they can begin to limit their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Staff members carry around a letter from Feuerstein and identification in the event that they are stopped while traveling to work .
Kavita Mehra , executive director of Sakhi for South Asian Women , said the front-line staff directly feels the impact .
`` We 've tried to really create a separation between work and home .
Now that all of us are working remotely , that separation no longer exists , '' she said .
At The Dwelling Place , a private homeless shelter for women in Manhattan , the staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women , from a typical 15 , according to staff member Joann Sambs .
Domestic violence is one of the primary causes of homelessness for women .
The shelter has also changed the way it puts on a weekly dinner for local elderly and homeless women , transforming the event from dine in to take out .
While the shelter typically served 35 to 45 women , this week only about 20 women came , according to Sambs .
Limited face time often takes a toll on survivors , who are trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs and shelters are run .
Sakhi has transitioned entirely to teleconferencing services , offering therapy sessions , for example , online .
In some cases , children are in the same room as their parents who are survivors , often making it harder for the survivors to speak candidly about their experiences and feelings .
`` The sessions are shorter .
There are often shorter answers , '' Mehra said .
It 's unclear how long the coronavirus is going to last , and while efforts are being made to curtail its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shelters are trying their best to plan ahead .
`` We 're in uncharted territory , '' Feuerstein said .
`` Our concern at this point is that with shelter in place , with the kind of economic tensions that people are under , that domestic violence tends to go up threefold in these kinds of situations , '' he said .
`` We 're trying to find a balance between being safe , helping people get stabilized and at the same time , taking people who are still in crises .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sakhi for South Asian Women , which does n't offer a shelter but instead provides resources and services to people dealing with domestic violence , the concerns revolve around the lack of opportunity to escape an abuser due to shelter-in-place orders .
She and her team have doubled down on conversations centered around safety planning , a series of actions domestic violence survivors might use to stay safe in a relationship .
Actions can consist of creating a safety word with children to help them recognize when a situation is dangerous , memorizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , knowing which local shelters are around them , having access to legal documents and keeping cash on hand , Mehra said .
`` We have a client who is living with her perpetrator and they have experienced significant financial hardship as a result of the pandemic , '' she said .
`` The perpetrator has made the decision to streamline expenses in the household , which include preventing her from keeping her cellphone and only allowing the family to keep his cellphone .
Her entire lifeline has been stripped away because she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The client , as a result , has significantly fewer chances to connect to the outside world for help if a situation arises .
Sahki for South Asian Women , like most domestic violence shelters or programs , receives some federal funding to support its operation .
While private donors also fund the organization , Sahki is `` preparing for a drop in funding in the next year '' because of the economic toll of the coronavirus , Mehra said .
Other organizations are following suit .
Harris Kluger from Sanctuary for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about being able to `` continue the work at the level we do it , '' despite receiving `` generous '' donations from private citizens and federal funding .
Curtis from Safe Horizon said it 's too `` hard to tell at this point '' how the coronavirus will affect funding for the organization .
But she hopes `` there will be some type of stimulus package that will recognize the need for programs such as ours . ''
The New York City Anti-Violence Project is an organization dedicated to ending gender-based violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in both English and Spanish .
The organization can be reached at 212-714-1141 .
The New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence provides training , support and advocacy to domestic-violence programs across New York state .
The number for its 24-hour hotline is 1-800-942-6906 .
The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers a 24-hour hotline for survivors who need support or additional resources .
The hotline can be reached by calling 1-800-799-SAFE or texting LOVEIS to 22522 .
If you find yourself in an emergency situation or immediate danger , please call 911 .

Getty Images
Domestic violence programs and shelters in New York, the state with the most confirmed coronavirus cases, are seeing a decline in at-risk clients as people stay home to prevent the spread of the outbreak. Trauma experts warn that this could lead to more abuse. The outbreak has left women, in particular, with few opportunities to seek help as social distancing guidelines urge people to shelter in place, forcing some women to stay home with an abuser to avoid contracting the coronavirus. Some women who are survivors of domestic violence have either fled shelters back to their abusers out of fear, or they have found that they have limited opportunities to seek out and receive support from domestic violence resource groups because of distancing guidelines. "There's a sense of isolation," said Judy Harris Kluger, executive director of New York-based Sanctuary for Families. "If they are living with their abuser, then it's a greater isolation and it's a greater danger. There is no real release." Sanctuary for Families operates several emergency shelters in Brooklyn, providing housing for up to 200 people a night. The issue has attracted attention from some prominent politicians. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is competing for the Democratic presidential nomination, has called for "emergency shelters" to be built for those fleeing domestic violence. Some existing shelters have said they are aiming to put survivors in hotels. Bernie tweet According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of every 4 women and 1 out of every 7 men go through physical violence at the hands of their partner. Women between the ages of 18 and 34 generally experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence, according to information from the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Normally, domestic violence survivors who reside with their abusers have opportunities for short respites that come in the form of a trip to the grocery store or the need to drop kids off at school. Because of social distancing, these opportunities have been largely eliminated, leading to more periods of time spent with an abuser. This story is based on conversations with officials from seven shelters and domestic violence programs in and around New York City. The problem exists beyond the hard-hit metropolitan area. In other parts of the country, like Washington, D.C., the number of calls to hotlines from survivors have increased, according to The Washington Post, with one nonprofit, DC Safe, receiving more than 1,500 calls since March 8. Likewise, domestic violence shelters in Connecticut have seen an increase in the number of calls from survivors who are concerned about being stuck inside with their abusive partners because of the outbreak. One shelter in New Orleans, which is becoming one of the hot spots for COVID-19, has reported a slowdown in new clients. WomenRising, a New Jersey shelter, has seen "a decrease in calls and requests for shelter," but added that the shift is normal during a time of crisis.
Dwindling numbers
New York, with more than 75,000 confirmed cases so far, is now regarded as the epicenter of the outbreak. Shelters and domestic violence programs in the state have reflected the hit, with fewer people choosing to stay there out of fear of contracting the virus or fewer people being able to access resources provided by these groups. In the first week of March, just as the coronavirus was beginning to plant roots in New York state, Sakhi for South Asian Women, a nonprofit that provides services and resources to women affected by violence, saw the number of people calling its hotline decrease by 76% from the week before. The monthly calls overall decreased from 114 in February to 53 in March. In January, when President Donald Trump was assuring the country that the outbreak was under control, Sakhi received 166 calls. Other New York shelters saw similar downward patterns as the virus spread and as health officials and the president strengthened their language in response to the pandemic. Freedom House, an emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities that is operated by the nonprofit Barrier Free Living, is licensed for 95 beds and currently has 89 occupants. "Some people have panicked and gone back to their homes to live with relatives because they felt like they'd be safer there," said Paul Feuerstein, CEO of Barrier Free Living. "We are trying to counsel people by saying we are keeping the program as sterile as we can. But when people are cooped up in an apartment by themselves with their kids, there is lots of opportunity for people to worry about their current situations." On a larger scale, the National Domestic Violence Hotline has begun to receive calls from survivors who are specifically concerned about the coronavirus. "The Hotline's call, chat and text volume remains in the average 1,800-2,000 per day range. However, we are seeing an increase in the number of survivors reaching out who [are] concerned with COVID-19 and how their abusive partner is leveraging COVID-19 to further isolate, coerce, or increase fear in the relationship. Between March 10 and March 26 we have had 1,216 contacts who have mentioned COVID-19," said Katie Ray-Jones, chief executive officer of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. There are many reasons a survivor of domestic violence would opt to stay at home with their abuser rather than stay in a shelter. Sometimes survivors don't have the economic means to leave. In recent weeks, people were instructed to stay indoors to avoid spreading and contracting the coronavirus. To stay at Freedom House, survivors have to go through a screening that consists of giving the staff "a basic understanding of what the violence is" to ensure that those seeking shelter are actually fleeing violence, according to Cynthia Amodeo, chief program officer at Barrier Free Living. Because of shelter-in-place orders, it's less likely that a survivor would walk in for that screening. Survivors are always measuring risk, said Maureen Curtis, vice president of criminal justice and court programs at Safe Horizon, a nonprofit organization that has nine shelters throughout the five boroughs with total capacity of 800 beds. "A woman who is in a violent relationship and is thinking about going into the shelter," she said, "will say, 'You know what? I don't want to go into a shelter right now because I'm afraid of my children getting infected, living in a place where it's a shared living space." Many shelters in New York offer families fleeing domestic violence shared apartment space. But Safe Horizon stresses that survivors who need support can still find it in its shelters even as the coronavirus continues to impact New York. Safe Horizon practices "social distancing tactics" and still offers assistance to survivors, an organization spokesperson said.
Beginning anew
At many of these shelters and programs, the staff has taken drastic steps toward limiting face time with survivors. Feuerstein of Barrier Free Living said the staff hosts teleconference calls in place of all the normal face-to-face activities to protect against the possibility of contagion. "Our front desk staff, we've had to change their schedules so they're literally working 12-hour days, three days a week," he said. "So they can begin to limit their risks of traveling on public transportation." Staff members carry around a letter from Feuerstein and identification in the event that they are stopped while traveling to work. Kavita Mehra, executive director of Sakhi for South Asian Women, said the front-line staff directly feels the impact. "We've tried to really create a separation between work and home. Now that all of us are working remotely, that separation no longer exists," she said. At The Dwelling Place, a private homeless shelter for women in Manhattan, the staff has reduced its capacity to just four women, from a typical 15, according to staff member Joann Sambs. Domestic violence is one of the primary causes of homelessness for women. The shelter has also changed the way it puts on a weekly dinner for local elderly and homeless women, transforming the event from dine in to take out. While the shelter typically served 35 to 45 women, this week only about 20 women came, according to Sambs. Limited face time often takes a toll on survivors, who are trying to get used to the new ways their programs and shelters are run. Sakhi has transitioned entirely to teleconferencing services, offering therapy sessions, for example, online. In some cases, children are in the same room as their parents who are survivors, often making it harder for the survivors to speak candidly about their experiences and feelings. "The sessions are shorter. There are often shorter answers," Mehra said.
Thinking ahead


cnbc--2020-04-01--Trump says he doesn't know if China underreported coronavirus numbers: 'I'm not an accountant from C

Trump says he doesn't know if China underreported coronavirus numbers: 'I'm not an accountant from China'

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the daily White House coronavirus press briefing while flanked by Attorney General William Barr April 1 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the U.S. does n't know whether the Chinese government has underreported the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the country .
`` I 'm not an accountant from China , '' Trump said when asked at a White House press briefing whether China 's numbers are accurate .
Still , Trump said that Beijing 's tally appeared `` to be a little bit on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being nice when I say that , relative to what we witnessed and what was reported . ''
The president 's remarks came hours after a news report said the president received a secret intelligence brief noting that China deliberately underreported the extent of its COVID-19 outbreak .
Bloomberg , citing three U.S. officials , reported that the intelligence community made that assessment in a classified report that the White House received last week .
But Trump said that `` we have not received '' any intelligence reports showing that China underreported its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has previously cast doubt on China 's numbers .
But at the briefing Wednesday evening , he opted instead to talk up America 's trade relationship with Beijing , boasting that China will be buying billions of dollars ' worth of products from U.S. farmers .
`` We really do n't know .
How do we know whether they underreported or reported however they report , '' Trump said of China 's reported coronavirus numbers .
`` But we had a great call the other night , '' Trump said referring to China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working together on a lot of different things including trade .
They 're buying a lot , they 're spending a lot of money .
They 're giving it to our farmers . ''
The coronavirus pandemic began around the city of Wuhan in China 's Hubei province – though Beijing 's foreign ministry has claimed that it did n't necessarily originate there .
China has reported 82,361 coronavirus cases , data from Johns Hopkins University shows .
That number is less than half of the total cases confirmed in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest number of reported infections in the world .
Trump repeated at the briefing that his relationship with Xi `` is very good . ''
`` We have a great trade deal '' with China , Trump continued .
`` We 'd like to keep it .
They 'd like to keep it .
And the relationship is good . ''
`` As to whether or not their numbers are accurate , I 'm not an accountant from China , '' Trump said .

U.S. President Donald Trump, center, speaks during a Coronavirus Task Force news conference at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the U.S. doesn't know whether the Chinese government has underreported the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the country.
"I'm not an accountant from China," Trump said when asked at a White House press briefing whether China's numbers are accurate.
Still, Trump said that Beijing's tally appeared "to be a little bit on the light side, and I'm being nice when I say that, relative to what we witnessed and what was reported."
The president's remarks came hours after a news report said the president received a secret intelligence brief concluding that China deliberately underreported the extent of its COVID-19 outbreak.
Bloomberg, citing three U.S. officials, reported that the intelligence community made that assessment in a classified report that the White House received last week.
But Trump said at the briefing that "we have not received" any intelligence reports showing that China underreported its coronavirus numbers.
The president has previously cast doubt on China's numbers. But on Wednesday evening, he opted instead to talk up America's trade relationship with Beijing, boasting that China will be buying billions of dollars' worth of products from U.S. farmers.
"We really don't know. How do we know whether they underreported or reported however they report," Trump said of China's reported coronavirus numbers.
"But we had a great call the other night," Trump said referring to China's president Xi Jinping. "We are working together on a lot of different things including trade. They're buying a lot, they're spending a lot of money. They're giving it to our farmers."
The coronavirus pandemic began around the city of Wuhan in China's Hubei province – though Beijing's foreign ministry has claimed that it didn't necessarily originate there.
China has reported 82,361 coronavirus cases, data from Johns Hopkins University shows. That number is less than half of the total cases confirmed in the U.S., which has become the country with the highest number of reported infections in the world.
Trump repeated at the briefing that his relationship with Xi "is very good."
"We have a great trade deal" with China, Trump continued. "We'd like to keep it. They'd like to keep it. And the relationship is good."
"As to whether or not their numbers are accurate, I'm not an accountant from China," Trump said.


cnbc--2020-04-01--Pentagon aiming to get 100,000 body bags for FEMA coronavirus response, report says

A view of a medical personnel attending to a patient at Elmhurst Hospital Center in the Queens borough of New York City on March 27 , 2020 .
The Pentagon is trying to obtain 100,000 body bags for federal emergency management officials in preparation of an expected increase in the numbers of deaths from the coronavirus pandemic , a new report said Wednesday .
Bloomberg News said , citing sources , that the Pentagon already has 50,000 body bags that it will begin tapping to fulfill the request from the Federal Emergency Management Agency , but that Defense officials are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new bags to meet FEMA 's request .
`` The Defense Logistics Agency does n't yet have a specific delivery date request from FEMA but the agency wants them as soon as they are ready , and the Pentagon is close to agreement with its current contractor on the numbers and time lines , '' Bloomberg reported , citing one of its sources .
The Defense Department had no immediate comment when contacted by CNBC .
A FEMA spokesperson said , `` FEMA is aware of many states ' planning efforts to account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posture to support these requests once received from the states .
Prudent planning for these future conditions is taken very seriously by FEMA , and we are working with Regional and State health and emergency managers to ramp up available assets to meet contingency needs for the most affected areas . ''
White House officials said Tuesday that an estimated 100,000 to 240,000 are likely to die in coming months from COVID-19 , even with mitigation and treatment efforts .

Workers wheel a deceased person outside of Brooklyn Hospital Center during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, U.S., March 30, 2020.
The Pentagon is trying to obtain 100,000 body bags for federal emergency management officials in preparation of an expected increase in the numbers of deaths from the coronavirus pandemic.
That effort's disclosure came on the heels of a White House projection that an estimated 100,000 to 240,000 are likely to die in coming months from COVID-19, even with mitigation and treatment efforts. President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Americans to prepare for "a very painful" coming three weeks.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Mike Andrews, a Pentagon spokesman, told CNBC that the Defense Logistics Agency is responding to "prudent planning efforts" by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Andrews said FEMA has asked for "100,000 pouches to address mortuary contingencies on behalf of state health agencies."
The Defense Logistics Agency is the combat logistics support agency for U.S. military branches.
Bloomberg News, which first broke news of the effort Wednesday, reported that the Pentagon already has 50,000 body bags that it will begin tapping to fulfill FEMA's request as it seeks the other 100,000 bags.
A FEMA spokesman said in a statement, "FEMA is aware of many states' planning efforts to account for mortuary contingencies and has increased its posture to support these requests once received from the states."
"Prudent planning for these future conditions is taken very seriously by FEMA, and we are working with Regional and State health and emergency managers to ramp up available assets to meet contingency needs for the most affected areas," the spokesman said.
Andrews, the Pentagon spokesman, said the Defense Department and the Defense Logistics Agency have a longstanding arrangement with FEMA to procure key commodities from DLA's industrial partners during crisis response operations."
WATCH: N.Y. Governor Andrew Cuomo on the latest coronavirus numbers


cnbc--2020-04-01--Doctors say Trump's idea to 'use a scarf' to protect against coronavirus is unproven

President Donald Trump , joined by Vice President Mike Pence , speaks during a briefing on the coronavirus pandemic , in the press briefing room of the White House on March 25 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
With hospitals in dire need of face masks and other equipment to keep them from contracting the coronavirus , President Donald Trump suggested an alternative for Americans who also want protection in public : Wear a scarf .
`` It does n't have to be a mask , '' Trump said at a press briefing Tuesday night .
`` You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else over your face . ''
There is currently little empirical evidence to back up Trump 's recommendation that a scarf or other covering can substitute for a face mask .
Doctors told CNBC that there are pros and cons to using masks , makeshift or otherwise , in public .
`` As far as the general public is concerned , the do-it-yourself option of wearing a scarf or bandana may be the best we can do at this point , '' said Dr. William Schaffner , medical director of the National Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Infectious Diseases Society of America said that wearing a scarf or bandana could protect others from the spread of the coronavirus .
It might also keep people from touching their faces , she said .
`` A scarf acts sort of like a handkerchief or a tissue , '' Hewlett said .
`` If you 're wearing a scarf around your face , or another homemade mask , then there 's a chance that your secretions will be contained in that as opposed to being spread to the environment . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is limited evidence that wearing alternative coverings in public can prevent transmission of COVID-19 .

President Donald Trump, joined by Vice President Mike Pence, speaks during a briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, in the press briefing room of the White House on March 25, 2020 in Washington, DC.
With hospitals in dire need of face masks and other equipment to keep them from contracting the coronavirus, President Donald Trump suggested an alternative for Americans who also want protection in public: Wear a scarf.
"It doesn't have to be a mask," Trump said at a press briefing Tuesday night. "You can use scarves. You can use something else over your face."
The following evening, Trump repeated that advice, claiming without evidence that scarves are "highly recommended by the professionals."
"Depending on the fabric, I think in a certain way a scarf is better," Trump claimed.
There is currently little empirical evidence to back up Trump's recommendation that a scarf or other covering can substitute for a face mask.
Doctors told CNBC that there are pros and cons to using masks, makeshift or otherwise, in public.
"As far as the general public is concerned, the do-it-yourself option of wearing a scarf or bandana may be the best we can do at this point," said Dr. William Schaffner, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
Dr. Angela Hewlett of the Infectious Diseases Society of America said that wearing a scarf or bandana could protect others from the spread of the coronavirus. It might also keep people from touching their faces, she said.
"A scarf acts sort of like a handkerchief or a tissue," Hewlett said. "If you're wearing a scarf around your face, or another homemade mask, then there's a chance that your secretions will be contained in that as opposed to being spread to the environment."
Still, the doctors stressed that there is limited evidence that wearing alternative coverings in public can prevent transmission of COVID-19.