#COVID19 Task Force (CTF) Briefing is coming up. https://twitter.com/whitehouse/status/1246175591512125442

CTF is starting now. House minority leader (R) Kevin McCarthy is speaking, starting w/the SBA loans & grants.

CTF: Prez is highlighting hot spots in NY/NJ. “Governor is doing an excellent job.” Javits Center was going to be non-covid19, changing to #COVID19 care. Medical ship will still be non.

*CTF: CDC now is recommending Americans should voluntarily wear masks, paper or cloth. Save medical grade masks for medical personnel. Doesn’t replace social distancing, washing hands, etc.

CTF: Expansion of no co-pays required for testing & treatment for insured. Current stimulus package will pay for non-insured.

CTF: Defense Production Act used to stop export/medl equipment, including N95 masks. Prez talking w/health systems to make sure they have enough ventilators, PPE.

CTF: Military use is expanding, >9k healthcare thus far deployed, including to NYC, but also using NG to deliver supplies. Also army corps/engineers building temp hospitals in many states now.

CTF: hydrochloriquine (HC) being used recently, “being tested,” but feds have ordered a lot jic it works.

CTF: $3.5B going out already via banks,Treasury, & Fed. Prez met today w/CEOs/Energy Industry, making space available to buy for strategic reserves. Virus has “stopped” demand.

CTF: Prez says: America is in a historic battle. “You’ll see some bad things, but then some really good things.” This was artificially induced, they said close it down, but hopefully it’ll be fast.

CTF: Veep says we ARE flattening the curve, and thanks everyone, but still tracking significant outbreaks. 1.4M tests have been performed. Dr. Birx will give more numbers in a bit.

CTF: Veep: FDA has very quickly approved a rapid antibody test for those not actively sick, to determine non-symptomatic cases/ #COVID19 .

CTF: Veep: Airbridge brought material in to OH from China today, $1.5B in new Paycheck Protection loans went out today.

CTF: Veep: Sec Azar will expand on how every American will receive treatment for #COVID19 without having to pay.

CTF: Dr. Birx is up: requiring discipline & determination from all Americans, can see states that changed behavior earlier (WA) are having flatter curves.

CTF: Dr. Birx: Feds are now talking directly w/hospitals to make sure all have what they need, especially as they move through their peak number/cases. Recognizes sacrifice/medl personnel.

CTF: Watching Chicago & Detroit as cases peak, next up may be CO, PA coming up.

CTF: Alex Azar, Sec/HHS: Thanks to all serving heroically. $1B funding to cover providers’ expenses w/CARES $100B coming up. Reimbursing at Medicare rates for uninsureds’ treatment.Those who lose coverage when unemployed maybe eligible on healthcare exchanges & maybe Medicaid.

CTF: Surgeon General Herime Adams is speaking now abt wearing masks. At the time, CDC didn’t think a mask would help a healthy person, only suggested for the sick from spreading. What’s changed:: now know....

CTF: Surgeon Gen’l: now know even asymptomatic can spread germs, so want masks to stop those from spreading, especially in public like stores. Cloth ones for non-medl people+ #30Days guidelines.

CTF: Surgeon Genl urges leaving N95 masks for healthcare workers. Questions now starting.

CTF: Pres leaves decision to make Stay at Home orders to the governors, esp from the pt/view/the constitution. Current orders cover 90%/America anyway, all the hot spots.

CTF: Prez asked a question abt the oil industry—there’s a massive glut/oil and gas rn. Tremendously important, esp staying energy independent.

CTF: Prez said we’re not happy w/3M. Fauci isn’t at the briefing today, but they’re getting along great, no problem.

CTF: Acosta asks who dropped the ball re not being prepared for a pandemic. Prez said it’s different a genl concern compared to a specific one. Azar says Perez signed a Pandemic EO bf #COVID19 hit.

Prez* CTF: Prez points out shelves were empty by the previous administration.

CTF: Prez clarifies use/DPA, can let out supplies to Italy, for example, where they need supplies rn, but not going to let countries stockpile beyond what they need rn.

CTF: Prez describes cruise ships we’re letting in, even though there were already #COVID19 deaths. Prez’s test yesterday took 13 minutes, those seeing him are being tested, all fine.

CTF: Prez answered question abt supplies, we can meet our own demand but there’s a huge demand. We are rapidly replacing what’s being used, but sometimes some governors will complain even when requests are met.

CTF: Oil execs did NOT ask for a bailout, more of a discussion/dispute between Russia & SA.

CTF: Prez slaps down a gotcha question. When Kuchner said “our” supplies yesterday—meant for the whole country. There’s a fedl stockpile AND state stockpiles. Some were unprepared, under-supplied.

CTF: Prez explains how Feds make decisions separate from the states, fedl govt is a back up.

CTF: There’s a question abt the rumor he’s signing checks.Prez says he can’t sign a million diff checks. They’re coming from his administration but he’s not signing them himself.

CTF: Prez wanted PO checks go out directly, but some have to go to the states first for distribution, wasn’t his decision/preference.

CTF: Dr. Birx explains the asymptomatic cases will be counted via the antibody tests. A finger prick test is ideal but rn test requires a tube/blood. Testing all sailors on the Roosevelt, for example.

CTF: Dr. Birx says after this is over, we can review the process but rn need to deal w/cases now, focus on America rn, and planning for the fall (next cycle). As of 2/3 head/WHO said no need for a travel ban. Info changes.

CTF: Prez said we’ll discuss treatment/illegals at another time.

CTF: Azar says if you had been employed but now lost insurance, can now enroll in Affordable Care Act exchanges. If uninsured, providers will have #COVID19 costs covered by fedl money.

CTF: Prez says there are a lot of states to take care of, thinks NYC has what they need, some ventilators delivered yesterday and today there.

CTF: Prez says feds hold on to some ventilators & material for surge areas. CDC guidelines have changed, and not mandatory. Social distancing is most important.

CTF: Dr. Redford/CDC: discussing asymptomatic cases, so urged to wear a mask to protect others, whereas prez doesn’t have it (tested).

CTF: Prez discusses tariffs, and how other countries tariff US & create other barriers. US tariffs just even the playing field. Not used w/oil rn, but it’s in our toolbox, an option. Prez thinks dispute betn Russia & SA will be settled.

CTF: Prez continues, the virus has “knocked the hell” out/the oil industry.

CTF: Prez will talk w/Pelosi if needed, having others talking w/her rn, particularly abt #infrastructure . Borrowing rn at 0 interest, will reduce lower costs.

CTF: Dr. Birx says projections are based on current global experiences, countries that have had #COVID19 moved through other populations already. http://Healthdata.org  is a good projection re mortality.

CTF: Question abt the general election, Prez says November election will happen as scheduled. Concerned abt states w/Dem governors. Prez wants voter ID, thinks mail in is wanted to cheat. Vote at a booth.

CTF briefing has ended.

Big take aways from the #COVID19 Task Force Briefing: New CDC recommendation to wear a mask, bc/asymptomatic spread. Also SBA loans/grants started today, >$1B approved today already.