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HEALTH-VIRUS-US-TRUMP-POLITICS-DEADLINE
Trump ponders early end to coronavirus economic shutdown
WASHINGTON, March 23, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – President Donald Trump hinted
strongly on Monday that he is running out of patience with the economic
shutdown caused by mass quarantine measures against the coronavirus.
“WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF. AT THE END OF THE
15 DAY PERIOD, WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO!” Trump
tweeted overnight.
The 15 day period he refers to was started last Monday, setting in motion a
series of federal recommendations on social distancing and other anti-
coronavirus measures. It concludes a week from Tuesday.
Health officials and state governors dealing with the worst outbreaks of
the novel coronavirus have said they expect mass restrictions on movement of
people, shutting down much of the US economy, will have to continue for some
time.
But Trump also retweeted early Monday several calls for a quick shift in
strategy.
“15 days. Then we isolate the high risk groups and the rest of us get back
to work before it’s all over for everyone!! #Landslide2020,” said one retweet
on the president’s Twitter.
“Correct. 15 days, then we keep the high risk groups protected as necessary
and the rest of us go back to work,” read another.
BSS/AFP/RY/1855 hrs