The Trump administration has ruled out the option of a national quarantine to stem the spread of the coronavirus, satisfied that states with high-impact areas are moving on their own to break the infection chain.
Secrets reported Friday that the administration was eyeing such a plan and also tapping the National Guard to help prevent any outbreaks of potential looting.
But both have been rejected as an option, officials said.
The National Security Council and National Guard tweeted statements that they have no plans for a national shutdown similar to those in other smaller nations ravaged by the virus. The NSC slammed the report as “disinformation.”
An administration official said that the White House supports calls in states such as Illinois, California, and New York to shelter in place and the use of state National Guard units to help set up testing facilities for the virus.
During his Saturday daily briefing at the White House on the coronavirus, President Trump highlighted the efforts in New York by Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and California by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, both political foils before the outbreak but now crisis partners.
“We’re all one beautiful, big, American family, and that’s taking place right now. Last night, I approved major disaster declaration for the state of New York. I worked very closely with Governor Cuomo,” said Trump.
“I’m working very closely with Gavin Newsom, the governor of California and others. We may be doing the same thing depending on their needs, depending on what they’re asking for. It’s been unprecedented action in New York, and we’ve had a tremendous federal response all over the country. I want to thank all the people in the federal government and obviously in the state governments and local governments. We are working hard, everybody is working hard, and the people standing alongside of me are working very hard. That I can tell you,” he added.
The quarantine plan was described as one of several “on the table” should the infection rate and the death toll from the virus rise.
But in rejecting it, the administration showed support for the different approaches in the states.
Said Vice President Mike Pence Saturday, “We are officially, Mr. President, six days into our 15 days. And as we look all across this country, while we strongly support the decisions that governors in the states where we have significant outbreak have taken, we encourage every American to listen to those state and local authorities. For every American, this is what you can do to make a difference over the next week and a few days to protect your health, protect your family’s health, but most especially, slow the spread and the potential for the coronavirus to impact the most vulnerable.”
