Politics of coronavirus outbreak

Vice President Pence and President Trump are at odds with each other in their approaches to the recent coronavirus outbreak.

Pence is taking advice from top scientists on the issue and is currently briefing lawmakers and the press on steps to take to mitigate the effects of the virus. He is especially focusing on the grave affects the disease poses to the elderly. However,

President Trump is taking a different approach to the situation entirely. He decided to dispute the expert view of the World Health Organization’s director-general, who said that the global mortality rate for the virus is 3.4%. Trump has also downplayed the effects that the virus has had on the international economy.

Pence was criticized by Democrats for being named last week as the head of Trump’s task force on the virus, citing his ability to deal with the HIV epidemic while he was governor of Indiana as a cause for concern. During his briefing last Wednesday, he vowed to help healthcare providers who are short on testing kits for the virus. Dr. Stephen Hahn, head of the Food and Drug Administration, told the press that by the end of the week it will be possible to provide for 1 million tests.

Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, announced directives which will allow for the dissemination of information for Nursing Homes in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

In a culmination of this increased effort to fight Coronavirus, Congress reached an agreement that allows for the sending of $8.3 ​billion in funding the White House in order to pay for the remaining amount that is necessary to fight the virus. While Democrats blame Donald Trump for his statements that choices made during the Obama administration have led to the current epidemic, some are simultaneously praising Pence on his handling of the situation. Democratic Rep.

Lou Correa of California said: ​”I am glad Vice President Pence was there to say ‘I am taking control,’ surrounded by scientists and health care officials — that’s what you are supposed to do.” ​We can continue to see how support for the White House’s efforts changes in the coming months as the response to the coronavirus outbreak progresses.