Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday evening for the White House coronavirus call. If you were unable to join us, please see the brief summary notes from the discussion below my signature block.

As we shared earlier this week, the U.S. Chamber recently sent a letter urging President Trump and congressional leadership to enact, as swiftly as possible, legislation to ensure American businesses of all sizes can mitigate the potentially devastating economic effects from the spread of the Coronavirus. In case you missed it, U.S. Chamber executive vice president and chief policy officer Neil Bradley spoke with CNBC and Fox Business News about the three actions needed now to aid businesses and workers.

We remain dedicated to keeping you and your members informed as the legislation evolves on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that is now pending in the U.S. Senate.

 

Thank you.

Sara Armstrong

Vice President

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

On today’s coronavirus update call with the White House, Deputy Assistant to the President and director of the office of public liaison Tim Pataki provided opening remarks, assuring the business community that President Trump and Vice President Pence continue to work with government officials—on the federal, state, and local levels—in sharing recourses in continued efforts to manage the outbreak.

Additionally, the White House continues to work with private sector partners to better serve and protect the American people. Following Pataki’s update, the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Robert Redfield provided general public health and safety updates – including reminders to wash hands, avoid touching your face, remember to practice social distancing (including discouraging groups of more than 10 people from gathering for the next 15 days), and avoid unnecessary traveling. 

Dr. Redfield noted that of the 37,000 reported cases nationwide (primarily in WA, NY, and MA), the U.S. death toll is at 68 to date. As a reminder, outbreaks will continue to peak, but they will decline. Finally, Dr. Redfield provided a reminder that those that are in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Before the call concluded, Ken Cuccinelli, acting director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, gave an update on the Trump Administration’s efforts to contain the spread of the outbreak regarding travel. Cuccinelli mentioned that tonight, current travel restrictions will also be extended to Ireland and the UK. Despite the air travel restrictions, roads will not be shut down.