As a top economic adviser predicted Sunday that unemployment levels could exceed 20%, the White House added safety precautions for the president and his staff, and New York …
As a top economic adviser predicted Sunday that unemployment levels could exceed 20%, the White House added safety precautions for the president and his staff, and New York announced new rules for nursing homes.
Also Sunday, four weeks after leaving a hospital where he battled the coronavirus, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the first steps in the country’s path toward reopening.
There were more than 79,000 deaths and 1.3 million confirmed coronavirus cases in the U. S. on Sunday, according to the John Hopkins University data dashboard. Worldwide, the virus has killed more than 281,000 people and surpassed 4 million infections.
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White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett believes the unemployment rate could rise above 20% and the worst job losses would come in « May or June » because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
When asked Sunday what the « bottom » of the country’s unemployment pain would be, Hassett, who advises the Trump administration on economic policy and is the former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, told CBS’s « Face the Nation, » « to get unemployment rates like the ones that we’re about to see… which I think will climb up toward 20% by next month, you have to really go back to the Great Depression to see that. »
When asked about the « low point » in the unemployment rate, he said: « I’m looking for rates north of 20, sadly. »
The U. S. lost 20.5 million jobs in April, and the unemployment rate rose to 14.7%, both record-high numbers as the nation felt the economic effects of the coronavirus. Social distancing measures have forced the closures of businesses across the country, leading to employee layoffs and furloughs.
– Nicholas Wu
The arrival of the coronavirus in the West Wing has prompted the White House to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of President Donald Trump and his staff.
Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will be tested daily for the virus, as will every staff member in close proximity to them.White House guests will be tested, work spaces will undergo regular deep cleaning, and staff will follow social distancing guidelines, undergo daily temperature checks and have their symptom histories reviewed,White House spokesman Judd Deere said Sunday.
In the last week alone, Trump’s valet and Pence’s press secretary tested positive for COVID-19, and three members of the White House coronavirus task force entered quarantine after being close to someone diagnosed with the disease.
— Michael Collins
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a slow easing of the country’s coronavirus lockdown Sunday and outlined his government’s road map for further lifting restrictions in the coming months.
In a televised address to the nation, Johnson said Brits who can’t work from home, such as those in construction or manufacturing jobs, “should be actively encouraged to go to work” this week. He suggested they avoid mass transit and either drive or preferably walk or bike to work.
Johnson said a restriction limiting outdoor exercise to once a day will be lifted Wednesday.
