There have been more than 466,000 cases across the nation and more than 16,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
“The reassuring news, again, is that some places have leveled off and are on the downslope, and we hope that within a few weeks once we get past the 30 days, some places around the country can start thinking about reopening,” Adams said.
Pence’s Mileposts
Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday outlined a series of mileposts the country must meet before social-distancing practices can be relaxed, including widespread testing for the virus and therapeutic medicines to treat it, both of which may be months away.
Most major communities must be “at the end” of their outbreaks, said Pence, who leads the coronavirus task force. The country also should have new guidance in place from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how large and small businesses can operate safely.
CDC Director Robert Redfield outlined similar criteria on Thursday during an interview with CNN. Officials, he said, need to understand the spread of the virus, strengthen public-health infrastructure, prepare hospitals and other medical facilities, and foster a belief among Americans that it’s safe to scale back their isolation.
“Those are really the four most critical elements that we’re working and planning on now, with the anticipation of beginning to reopen our nation one region at a time and get us all back to work and get prepared for next year, which will be another challenging time,” he said.
Separately, the White House is considering whether to create a working group focused on reviving the U.S. economy after the coronavirus pandemic eases, and whether the panel should include business executives and outside economists.
The discussions are in their early stages, according to three people familiar with the matter. Administration officials including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, presidential son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner and the director of the National Economic Council, Larry Kudlow, may be involved, the people said.
Meadows has also asked Trump’s daughter and senior adviser Ivanka Trump to join the group, one person said. All of the people spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are ongoing.
--With assistance from Josh Wingrove, Jennifer Jacobs and Mario Parker.