Coronavirus US live: Trump claims to see ‘light at end of tunnel’ despite mounting alarm as cases increase

By Maanvi Singh (now), Daniel Strauss in Washington and Bryan Armen Graham in New York (earlier)

10.24pm GMT

Trump evaded a question about why he’s fixated on easing back distancing measures by Easter. “I just thought it was a beautiful time” he said. But he said he’ll “be guided very much by Dr. Fauci” and Dr. Demorah Birx.

“Maybe we do sections of the country,” Trump said, appearing to think out loud about how he could make the Easter timeline work.

10.20pm GMT

Mike Pence reiterated that he doesn’t see a need to invoke the Defense Production Act to compel private companies to produce vital supplies, because so “we see industries stepping up” on their own.

Pence said that Apple is donating 9m masks – which medical staff need. He also referred to McDonald’s move to offer curbside delivery for truckers who aren’t able to use drive-thru — which is nice, but less of an essential necessity.

Source: Coronavirus US live: Trump claims to see ‘light at end of tunnel’ despite mounting alarm as cases increase

Category: US news, Coronavirus outbreak, US Congress, US elections 2020, Donald Trump, Democrats, Republicans