The White House's coronavirus task force held a press conference Wednesday, updating Americans on the state of the pandemic that has seen more than 6,500 infections and more than 100 people die in the U.S. with several major updates to help settle people's worries.
Among the major announcements made by Trump, was that his administration would invoke a Korean War-era law that would allow the government to marshal the private sector in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. The Defense Production Act, passed in 1950 in response to the Korean War, would expand the production of masks and other protective gear to prevent the spread of the virus.
"Right after we finish this conference, I'll be signing it and it's prepared to go," Trump said.
Another major announcement made Wednesday morning was that the Trump administration would suspend foreclosures and evictions on homeowners until at least the end of the month, as part of helping people during the ongoing pandemic.
“The Department of Housing and Urban Development is providing immediate relief to renters and homeowners by suspending all foreclosures and evictions until the end of April,” Trump said.
Vice President Mike Pence took the stage and announced that the Department of Health and Human Services would issue a regulation that would allow doctors to practice across state lines.
"With regard to medical personnel, at the President’s direction, HHS is issuing a regulation today that will allow all doctors and medical professionals to practice across state lines to meet the needs of hospitals that may arise in adjoining areas," Pence said.
"In addition to that, we are asking every American and our medical community leaders and hospitals to partner with us in delaying elective procedures across the country in our healthcare system to ensure that medical supplies and medical capacities go where they’re needed most.”
White House coronavirus task force member Seema Varna echoed Pence's plea for Americans to delay elective health procedures to help cut down on the burden on health care centers nationwide.
"We believe that these recommendations will help surgeons, patients, and hospitals prioritize what is essential, while leaving the ultimate decision in the hands of state and local health officials and those clinicians who have direct responsibility to their patients," Varna said.
"We urge providers and clinicians and patients to seriously consider these recommendations," she added. "They will not only preserve equipment, but it also allows doctors and nurses to help those that are on the front lines, and it will protect patients from unnecessary exposure to the virus."
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the Defense Department will make available up to 5 million N95 masks and other personal protective equipment from US strategic reserves for use by medical professionals across the country, noting that the "first 1 million masks will be available immediately."
Up to 2,000 "operational deployable ventilators for use as needed" will be distributed to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Two U.S. Navy hospital ships, the USS Mercy and Comfort, are also being prepared to deploy as needed, based on a directive from Trump.
“We have also alerted a variety of field and expeditionary hospitals to be ready to deployed as needed, based on direction from the commander in chief,” Esper said on Wednesday. "The US military remains ready and capable at defending the country and our interests abroad."
Trump also said that FEMA had been deployed to all areas in response to the outbreak.
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