President Trump on Sunday extended the administration’s COVID-19 guidelines until the end of April and expressed confidence that the battle will be won.
“With the grace of God, we are rising to the occasion,” Trump said. “We are proving that no darkness can overshadow the eternal light of American courage. We will win. And when we do, we will rebound with astonishing force and speed. We will be stronger than ever, and we will have learned so much, where something like this can never hurt us to the extent it has – and the world – again.”
The “strength of our people,” he said, “is our single most important asset.”
“Together, we will defeat this invisible curse,” Trump said.
The coronavirus guidelines, originally set for 15 days, urge Americans to avoid gatherings in groups of more than 10 people and to work from home, when possible. They also encourage Americans to avoid “discretionary travel.”
Drs. Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx of the Coronavirus Task Force, Trump said, urged him to extend the guidelines. He asked them about relaxing the restrictions for regions that have experienced fewer coronavirus cases but “they didn’t like the idea,” Trump said.
“We can expect that, by June 1st, we will be well on our way to recovery,” Trump said. “… I want every citizen in our country to take heart and confidence in the fact that we have the best medical minds in the world tackling this disease. We have the best science, the best researchers, and the best talent anywhere working night and day to protect your family and loved ones and to overcome this pandemic.”
The president’s guidelines suggest:
– Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities.
– If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.
– If your children are sick, keep them at home. Contact your medical provider.
– If someone in your household has tested positive for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home.
– If you are an older American, stay home and away from other people.
– If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition – such as a significant heart or lung problem – stay home and away from other people.
– Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible.
– If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.
– Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.
– Avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts – use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options.
– Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.
– Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
– Practice good hygiene: wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface; avoid touching your face; sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow; disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.
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Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Pool
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, The Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
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