Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing
Posted by: thepinetree on 03/18/2020 07:37 AM
Washington, DC...Thank you very much, everyone. Thank you. Progress being made. And I appreciate you all joining us. Last night, the FDA announced groundbreaking new policies to further increase testing very substantially so. All states can now authorize tests developed and used within their borders, in addition to the FDA. So the states are very much involved. They have been involved from the beginning. But we’re stepping it up as much as we can, and the testing procedures are going well.
California State Parks Temporarily Closes All Campgrounds in the State Park System
Posted by: thepinetree on 03/18/2020 08:21 AM
Sacramento, CA...California State Parks announced today the temporary closure of all campgrounds in the state park system to support state and local efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). As of today, non-campground outdoor areas of parks, including trails and beaches, remain open. Visitors are reminded to practice social distancing and maintain at least six feet between other visitors and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Restrooms also remain open, and visitors are advised to take soap for hand washing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available.
U.S. Canada Border Closing to Non-Essential Traffic By Mutual Consent
Posted by: thepinetree on 03/18/2020 08:39 AM
Washington, DC..."We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic. Trade will not be affected. Details to follow!" President Trump via Twitter this morning.
Covid-19 Infections Rise Past 200,000 for First Time
Posted by: thepinetree on 03/18/2020 09:23 AM
Baltimore, MD...Many of you may have seen the Coronavirus dashboard produced in part by Johns Hopkins University. As the infections start to spread in North American we thought we would post a link to it. We posted this a few days ago but it was time to post again. It is a great source for actual data including those who have recovered. Just click the image below...
Field Operations for 2020 Census Suspended Until April 1st
Posted by: thepinetree on 03/18/2020 05:56 PM
Washington, DC...Less than one week ago, the 2020 Census fully kicked off, and invitations continue to arrive in mailboxes across the nation. As of this morning, more than eleven million households have responded. America is stepping up to shape our future and ensure families and communities are counted. Beginning today, in support of guidance on what we can all do to help slow the spread of coronavirus, 2020 Census field operations will be suspended for two weeks until April 1, 2020. The Census Bureau is taking this step to help protect the health and safety of the American public, Census Bureau employees, and everyone going through the hiring process for temporary census taker positions.
NIH Clinical Trial of Potential Vaccine for COVID-19 Begins. Study Enrolling Seattle-Based Volunteers
Posted by: thepinetree on 03/17/2020 06:55 AM
Seattle, WA...A Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating an investigational vaccine designed to protect against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has begun at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) in Seattle. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, is funding the trial. KPWHRI is part of NIAID’s Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium. The open-label trial will enroll 45 healthy adult volunteers ages 18 to 55 years over approximately 6 weeks. The first participant received the investigational vaccine today.
President Trump Held Conference Call With Restaurant Executives
Posted by: thepinetree on 03/17/2020 08:11 AM
Washington, DC...Today, President Donald J. Trump spoke by telephone with restaurant executives representing hundreds of thousands of hardworking Americans about the response to COVID-19. The executives thanked President Trump and his Administration for the whole-of-government response and for his efforts to ensure the public has the most accurate and up-to-date information. The President reminded the restaurants that they can help flatten the curve and slow the spread of this virus in communities across the country by encouraging their customers to use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options. All of the executives committed their restaurants to this critical guideline and assured the President they fully intend to continue feeding their communities through these other innovative avenues. President Trump thanked the participants for moving quickly to implement this change and agreed to stay in close communication on this public-private partnership to protect our businesses and the public.
State Health & Emergency Officials Release Guidance to Prevent the Transmission of COVID-19 in Food and Beverage Venues
Posted by: thepinetree on 03/17/2020 08:13 AM
Sacramento, CA...California officials issued guidance regarding retail food, beverage and other service venues. These venues bring people from multiple communities into close contact with each other and have the potential to increase the transmission of COVID-19. “These are aggressive, but necessary actions to protect our communities,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “We all have a role to play when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19. These establishments that are remaining open should think creatively about how they can continue to provide services to the community. Shifting operations to focus on pick up and delivery options should be prioritized.” The guidance will protect individuals attending and working at these venues and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
