VIDEO: Here’s what Trump said about reopening businesses while fighting coronavirus

Trump said the country can continue to take steps to slow the spread of the disease, while allowing businesses to function, maintaining, “we can do two things at one time.” Trump said people have learned about hygiene, and formulated protective plans.

Trump also said that in some states with low numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases, the restrictions could ease more quickly.

Trump noted that seasonal flu and car accidents cause higher death rates without disrupting society.

“You look at automobile accidents, which are far greater than what we’re talking about,” he said. “It doesn’t mean we’re talking about telling people not to drive cars.”

“We can’t have the cure be worse than the problem,” Trump said, adding that America “wasn’t built to be shut down.“

“We can do two things at one time,” Trump said. “We have an incredible country. We have to keep it that way”

Trump said he would listen to the advice of healthcare experts as he weighed his official decision.

“America will again and soon be open for business,” he said.

#WATCH: Pres. Trump on the WH coronavirus response:

“America will again and soon be open for business. Very soon. A lot sooner than three or four months that somebody was suggesting. A lot sooner. We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself.”pic.twitter.com/bduBN9RLg8

— Jennifer Franco (@jennfranconews) March 23, 2020

“This should NOT be a time for political agendas, but rather one for focusing solely and squarely on the needs of the American People,” Trump said.

President @realDonaldTrump: “This should NOT be a time for political agendas, but rather one for focusing solely and squarely on the needs of the American People.” pic.twitter.com/u23Otz0DID

— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) March 23, 2020

When asked if lifting the restrictions nationwide might lead people to drop their guard and start engaging in more social activities sooner, Deborah Birx, a member of Trump’s coronavirus task force, said no.

“I think it re-enforces them to do good work for the next … days [or] weeks in the future,” she said.

She said that people made sacrifices to protect the population, allowing the administration to evaluate the effectiveness of that and to determine the right way forward. She believes they will keep doing that.

WATCH:

Watch the entire press briefing :

VIDEO: Coronavirus Task Force holds news briefing at White House (Mon – Mar 23)

 

POLL: Should Republicans cave to Dems’ demands for unrelated items in #StimulusPackage2020?https://t.co/OJBiG0itTv

— DMLNewsApp (@DMLNewsApp) March 23, 2020