Trump "Will Sign Defense Production Act"... US COVID-19 Cases Surpass 7,000

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Donald Trump said he would sign the Defense Production Act to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). This is a law assuming a wartime situation and a federal legal provision that can control the private sector.

President Trump stated at the COVID-19 task force press conference on the 18th (local time) that he would take such action to increase the supply of materials necessary for COVID-19 response if needed.

The Defense Production Act grants the president the authority to expand the production of key goods for reasons such as national security. It is interpreted as a measure to secure various materials that are necessary for COVID-19 response measures, such as masks and protective gowns, but are significantly lacking.

President Trump also announced plans to deploy naval hospital ships to New York City and the West Coast, where the number of cases is rapidly increasing.

Regarding Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin's comment the day before that the U.S. unemployment rate could reach 20% in the worst case, President Trump said it was based on the worst-case scenario and that the current situation is nowhere near that.

He also compared himself to a 'wartime president' in relation to the COVID-19 guidelines he announced, advising to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people and for the elderly to stay at home.

The COVID-19 infection situation in the U.S. is worsening, with confirmed cases exceeding 7,000. CNN reported 7,111 COVID-19 cases in the U.S. as of the morning of that day, an increase of about 1,300 overnight. Deaths rose to 117. Johns Hopkins University also reported 7,324 confirmed cases in the U.S. that morning.

With the first positive case reported in West Virginia that day, COVID-19 has now occurred in all 50 states and the capital Washington D.C.

In New York State, which has emerged as the most severe outbreak area, the number of patients increased to 2,382. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a new executive order requiring non-essential businesses and stores to have no more than half of their employees come to work.

School closure orders issued in various regions also show signs of being extended longer than initially announced. California Governor Gavin Newsom said the day before that all public schools might remain closed until this summer.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.