The nation should expect “thousands” more cases of the coronavirus before the disease blows over, Vice President Mike Pence said on the TODAY Show Thursday.
Pence’s statement comes after President Donald Trump gave an Oval Office address on the federal response to COVID-19, announcing near-total bans on travel from Europe as well as financial relief for impacted workers. Pence’s statement is the first time the coronavirus task force has given a numerical estimate for expected cases, previously telling Americans to simply “expect more cases.”
“What do your experts tell you the number of infected Americans is likely to be? I’m looking for a number if you have it.” –@savannahguthrie asks about the coronavirus
“There will be thousands of more cases of coronavirus.” –@Mike_Pence
“Thousands or millions?” -Guthrie pic.twitter.com/G3TV2Hwnw6
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 12, 2020
Pence also criticized those who have sad Trump isn’t taking the virus seriously enough. The criticism arose when various media outlets falsely claimed the president called the coronavirus a “hoax” at a campaign rally. Trump later threw fuel on the fire by comparing the virus to the seasonal flu. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Trump Campaign Doubles Down On Slamming New Twitter Policy)
“There’s been some irresponsible rhetoric, but the American people should know President Trump has no higher priority than the health and safety and well-being of the people of this country.” –@Mike_Pence in response to people who aren’t afraid of the coronavirus pic.twitter.com/8sQPHMGhdW
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 12, 2020
Trump has also faced criticism from his conservative allies, some of whom say his chaotic messaging is making it harder for his coronavirus task force to do its job.