President Donald Trump is planning to move forward with the Fourth of July celebration festivities on the National Mall despite health experts’ repeated warnings amid the coronavirus outbreak.
During Wednesday’s White House Coronavirus Task Force press briefing, Trump mentioned the Independence Day celebrations following a clash with reporters over a quoted comment from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director, Robert Redfield.
Although health experts warned the virus would likely be an issue for the duration of the year, the president insists on moving forward with the annual celebrations.
“On July 4th, we’ll be doing what we had on the Mall, as you know. We’re going to be doing it. Last year was a tremendous success,” he said.
TRUMP: “On July 4, we will be doing what we had at the Mall. As you know, we’re gonna be doing it. Last year was a tremendous success and I would imagine we’ll do it, hopefully I can use the term ‘forever.’ That was a great success, as you remember.” pic.twitter.com/VecXPKIVkW
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 22, 2020
When asked how social distancing would be taken into consideration for the event — which usually draws thousands of Americans to commemorate the historic day — Trump admitted that standing six feet apart would likely lead to a much different celebration.
Not deterred, he also announced the air show which features U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels. This year, Trump plans to dedicate the air show to the frontline health care workers combatting the coronavirus.
“This is a tribute to them, to our warriors, because they’re equal warriors to those incredible pilots, all of the fighters that we have for the more traditional fights that we win,” Trump said.
Trump’s comments came shortly after health experts discussed the resurgence of the coronavirus later this year.
Although Trump initially claimed The Washington Post misquoted Redfield, the CDC director personally confirmed the quote was, in fact, correct, as previously reported on IJR. Redfield, however, did call the headline “inappropriate.”
He and Dr. Anthony Fauci both noted that they do not believe the coronavirus will be going away completely.
In fact, there are now concerns that the second wave could likely lead to more complications as healthcare professionals will have to combat both the coronavirus and flu season, simultaneously.
“We will have coronavirus in the fall. I am convinced of that. Because of the degree of transmissibility that it has, the global nature,” Fauci said during the briefing.
See Fauci’s comments below:
FAUCI: “We will have coronavirus in the fall. I am convinced of that. Because of the degree of transmissibility that it has, the global nature. What happens with that will depend on how we’re able to contain it when it occurs.” pic.twitter.com/Rq6U7ZsEZB
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 22, 2020
The global health expert also made it clear that the extent and severity of the coronavirus’ resurgence would be contingent on America’s ability to prepare for containing the virus.