The U.S. has more confirmed cases of the coronavirus than any country in the world, surpassing China, where the pandemic began. There are now more than 85,000 cases in America and nearly 1,300 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Almost 3.3 million people filed for unemployment last week as the virus shuttered businesses and halted normal life across large swaths of the country. The record-shattering number claims was nearly five times larger than the previous weekly record set in 1982.
Early Thursday, the Senate passed a sweeping, historic $2 trillion relief package to help workers, businesses and the severely strained health care system survive the pandemic.
President Trump tweeted early Friday that he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the coronavirus.
Just finished a very good conversation with President Xi of China. Discussed in great detail the CoronaVirus that is ravaging large parts of our Planet. China has been through much & has developed a strong understanding of the Virus. We are working closely together. Much respect!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2020
Mr. Trump wrote, “Just finished a very good conversation with President Xi of China. Discussed in great detail the CoronaVirus that is ravaging large parts of our Planet. China has been through much & has developed a strong understanding of the Virus. We are working closely together. Much respect!”
Chinese State TV said Xi told Mr. Trump that Beijing is willing to work with all parties on stopping the disease’s spread, including the U.S., according to the Reuters news service.
Mr. Trump has been criticized for referring to COVID-19 as “the Chinese virus,” which some see as racist. When pressed by reporters on his use of the term, he’s countered by pointing out that China is where COVID-19 originated.
Relations between the two nations have been strained in recent months over numerous issues, including the pandemic.
However, Mr. Trump declaring that the country “was not built to be shut down”. According to people familiar with the matter, Trump began discussing how to get Americans back to work last week just days after endorsing “social distancing” measures that have slowed the economy as people stay home from work and avoid eating out and socializing.
Let’s see what is U.S next move to curb the spread of the Covid-19.