Former President Barack Obama is weighing in on the coronavirus crisis and the measures that should be taken to stop the spread, including limiting social contact.
Obama issued a tweet calling for the continuation of social distancing policies.
“These are the burdens our medical heroes already face in NYC. It’s only going to get harder across the country. Another reason to maintain social distancing policies at least until we have comprehensive testing in place. Not just for our sake—for theirs.”
These are the burdens our medical heroes already face in NYC. It's only going to get harder across the country. Another reason to maintain social distancing policies at least until we have comprehensive testing in place. Not just for our sake—for theirs. https://t.co/bwNXhOPMYs
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 25, 2020
He linked to an article discussing New York’s overburdened hospitals and how they are facing a shortage of essential equipment.
The tweet comes just a day after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) called on President Donald Trump’s administration to act fast, as IJR previously reported.
Cuomo also provided an update on how New York is handling the rising number of cases. He estimated the number of needed hospital beds has risen to up to 140,000.
He also reiterated the need for resources and explained how thousands will die if the proper resources are not sent.
“You pick the 26,000 people who are going to die because you only sent 400 ventilators,” Cuomo said.
The White House coronavirus task force also encouraged Americans who choose to leave New York to quarantine for fourteen days, as IJR previously reported.
Dr. Deborah Birx explained how it does not matter where these Americans go.
“No matter where they have gone, whether it’s Florida, North Carolina,” Birx said.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also called for the mobilization of the military and for the Defense Production Act to be put into action, as IJR previously reported.
New York City has reportedly recorded 192 deaths, as of Wednesday afternoon. The number of cases across the United States has reached 60,115.