Coronavirus: President Donald Trump says social distancing guidelines ‘a matter of life and death’

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the COVID-19 precautions laid out by his administration earlier this month and extended through April are “a matter of life and death.”

The president and the White House coronavirus task force repeated warnings for residents to stay home, avoid gatherings of 10 people, homeschool their children and follow state guidelines as governors tighten travel restrictions to avoid spreading a disease that’s already killed more than 3,000 in the U.S.

Speaking from the White House, Trump and the task force shared data that demonstrated the disease’s potential to kill at least 100,000 Americans and infect millions more, necessitating the social distancing steps that other nations have implemented to cut off the virus.

Dr. Deborah Birx, the task force coordinator, said if the nation did nothing at all to stem the spread of the disease, worst case scenarios show the virus would cause 1.6 million to 2.2 million deaths in the U.S.

“This is going to be a very very painful two weeks," Trump said. “We’re at war with a deadly virus. Success in this fight will require the full, absolute measure of our strength, love and devotion. Each of us has the power ... to save the most vulnerable among us.”

Trump added that perhaps the added focus on good hygiene and keeping one’s distance could “live on to the future.”

With “full mitigation,” including “community by community” closely following social distancing guidelines, the nation likely faces between 100,000 to 200,000 deaths, “which is still way too much," Birx said.

“We’re very dependent on each person in the United States doing the same thing,” Birx added. “I know it’s a lot to ask. I know it’s stressful to follow the guidelines. But it’s more stressful to the soldiers on the front lines."

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, urged Americans to heed the guidelines that have come as businesses, schools and much of American life and the economy have come to a standstill.

“We are really convinced that mitigation is going to do the trick for us,” Fauci said, citing the experience of other nations heavily impacted by the pandemic, such as Italy.

Italy, which has seen more than 12,000 deaths and hospitals overrun, is in its fourth week of mitigation and seen the number of new cases recently decline, Fauci and Birx said.

After mitigation, multiple nations have seen fewer hospitalizations, fewer intensive care situations and fewer deaths, Fauci said.

“We have to brace ourselves,” Fauci added, noting the number of new U.S. cases would still rise for a short time. “We cannot be discouraged by that. Because the mitigation will work. It’s inconvenient ... to go through this. But this will answer our problems. Let’s make sure we do this with all the intensity and force that we can.”

Vice President Mike Pence, who heads the White House task force, said difficult days were ahead.

“Do not be discouraged,” Pence said. “What you can do to protect your health, the health of your family ... to ensure that our health care providers have the resources and capacity to meet this moment, is to put into practice the president’s guidelines. Thirty days to make a difference in the lives of American people."

The guidelines issued by the Trump administration include:

Listen and follow directions of state and local authorities

If you feel sick, stay home; do not go to work and contact your medical provider

If your children are sick, keep them at home and contact your medical provider

If someone in your household has tested positive, keep the entire household at home

If you are an older person with a serious underlying health condition, stay home and away from other people

Even if you are young or otherwise healthy, it is critical that you work from home; avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people; avoid eating or drinking in public eateries and use drive-thru or delivery options instead; avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips and social visits; do not visit nursing homes or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance; practice good hygiene by washing hands and avoid touching your face.

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