Trump Promises Cash for Coronavirus Victims: 'Money Will Soon Be Coming to You'
Federal government moves to limit damage of virus
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President Donald Trump has promised Americans, who have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus, will receive payments from the federal government.
Trump tweeted Wednesday morning:
"For the people that are now out of work because of the important and necessary containment policies, for instance, the shutting down of hotels, bars, and restaurants, money will soon be coming to you."
"The onslaught of the Chinese Virus is not your fault! Will be stronger than ever!"
Congress is now working on a funding package to address the economic damage caused by the crisis.
Plans to give Americans cash to stimulate the economy have also been floated by several legislators, including Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, who suggested giving every adult $1,000.
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Trump added he would hold another press conference with officials from the Food and Drug Administration to continue updates surrounding the coronavirus.
The president also pushed back at critics accusing him of waiting too long to take the pandemic seriously:
"I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously, and have done a very good job from the beginning, including my very early decision to close the “borders” from China - against the wishes of almost all. Many lives were saved. The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful & false!"
For the people that are now out of work because of the important and necessary containment policies, for instance the shutting down of hotels, bars and restaurants, money will soon be coming to you. The onslaught of the Chinese Virus is not your fault! Will be stronger than ever!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously, and have done a very good job from the beginning, including my very early decision to close the “borders” from China - against the wishes of almost all. Many lives were saved. The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful & false!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
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Earlier this week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced Trump would be halting the 1938 law, which regulates truck drivers driving hours, in a move to combat the coronavirus.
According to the agency, this is the first time the rule had ever been waived throughout the US.
Trump said:
“I will never hesitate to take any necessary steps to protect the lives, health, and safety of the American people. I will always put the well-being of America first."
Earlier this month, Trump donated $100,000, his entire quarterly salary, to help tackle coronavirus by directing funds to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
6,500 Americans had tested positive for the coronavirus as of Wednesday.
More than 100 had died after contracting COVID-19.
Over 200,000 have tested positive for the virus across the globe with 8,000 dead.
