US President Donald Trump Adds 30 Days to Coronavirus Distancing Guidelines

U.S. President Donald Trump said during a coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington, Sunday, March 29, that he will extend the voluntary national shutdown for a month as coronavirus cases in the country reach over 141,000 with 2,468 deaths.

—————————— READ MORE: The initial 15-day period of social distancing urged by the federal government expires Monday and Trump had expressed interest in relaxing the national guidelines at least in parts of the country less afflicted by the pandemic.

But instead, he decided to extend them through April 30, a tacit acknowledgment he’d been too optimistic. Many states and local governments have stiffer controls in place on mobility and gatherings. Trump’s impulse to restore normalcy met a sober reality check Sunday from Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, who said the U.S. could experience more than 100,000 deaths and millions of infections from the pandemic.

Trump’s decision to extend the guidelines reflected a recognition that the struggle will take place over the longe haul. “I want our life back again,” the president told reporters in the Rose Garden. Brought forward by Trump at the outdoor briefing, Fauci said his projection of a potential 100,000 to 200,000 deaths is “entirely conceivable” if not enough is done to mitigate the crisis. He said that helped shape the extension of the guidelines, “a wise and prudent decision.” (AP)