President Trump was asked Sunday why grocery stores in America are still open as other businesses across the country have been shuttered amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’ll answer that question later,” Trump responded during a White House press conference. “All I can say is right now is things are looking really good, and opening up with a bang will be a great thing. And there is nobody going to be happier than me.”
All but nine states have enacted blanket shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders, while federal health authorities have urged Americans to practice social distancing and to only leave their homes to seek essential services.
White House officials have suggested citizens cover their faces when going into public in major hot spots such as New York City and Los Angeles. U.S. health officials have also urged households to designate one person to leave home to do grocery shopping.
Grocery stores and pharmacies are considered essential service providers. Employees at some of the nation’s largest grocers have voiced concerns they are not being adequately protected from contracting the virus and are demanding pay increases and more personal protective equipment.
Millions of small businesses have been shut down or reduced to only take-out and delivery as a result of the federal guidelines, leaving a record number of Americans without work.
Leading U.S. health officials have predicted this week could be the worst the country has seen in terms of confirmed cases and deaths as a result of COVID-19.
Trump has said he is eager to “flatten the curve” of coronavirus cases in the United States and looks forward to the day he can reopen the U.S. economy.
“You know, I had an expression, the cure can’t be worse than the problem itself. Right? I started by saying that, and I continue to say it,” Trump said Saturday. “The cure cannot be worse than the problem itself. We got to get our country open.”
