Several areas of the country, including the greater New York City region, will need to continue using mitigation efforts such as shutdowns against the spread of coronavirus, even if President Donald Trump reopens the nation's economy for business soon Vice President Mike Pence said Friday.
"Well, the president expressed really an aspirational goal that as we continue to follow the data, as we continue to call on every American regardless of whether they're in an area where there's a significant outbreak of coronavirus, to put into practice the 15 days to slow the spread," Pence told CNBC. "Whenever that day is that we can responsibly begin to open up portions of the country, let me be very clear there's going to be areas of the country where we need to continue to lean into mitigation efforts."
Meanwhile, he called some modeling of the coronavirus' potential spread "really wrong," claiming it appears "significantly lower" compared to earlier models.
"Our team, from the very beginning, has been questioning the modeling, saying we're going to follow the data," Pence said. "The truth of the matter is it does appear to be significantly lower than a lot of the earlier projections."
However, Americans should continue putting safe practices into play, including social distancing, using drive-thru windows or deliveries from local restaurants, and avoiding nonessential travel, as well as paying attention to hand washing, Pence said.
The vice president, also appearing on Fox Business, told Stuart Varney that Americans are listening carefully to state and local authorities and are putting the president's coronavirus guidelines in play.
"I think the American people can be proud of the response of our local healthcare workers who have leaned into this effort, particularly in the areas where there's significant outbreak," Pence said. "I think they can be proud of every governor across the country who's provided strong leadership."
He added tests are ramping up, and as of Thursday, more than 550,000 had been administrated nationwide.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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