Saturday, February 29, 2020

86,000/2941. Important Day – Went to Situation Room for a Saturday AM (10:00 AM task force meeting) when it became clear that there was several new cases of “community spread” There were already 14 cases (12 from Wuhan and 2 spouses). Then we learned a few days ago that there were 2 cases in California that were community based and both were now on respirators. The NEW information from yesterday is that there are now 6 additional cases – 1 in Oregon of a 45 yo who is now in the ICU and 5 cases near Seattle Washington, one of whom died last night; another one is hospitalized; and a 73 yo in long term care is now in an ICU; one just returned from Korea and so that might be a link for that person, but the others are unknown source. A new chapter in the outbreak. 6 hour meeting in the White House Situation Room. We increased travel alert to Italy and Korea and no travel to Iran. Level 3 for Italy and Level 4 to Northern Italy. Level 3 for Korea and Level 4 for Daegu in Korea. I suggest and it is accepted as the “Fauci Rule” of asking these countries to do exit screening on people coming from their country to USA. Meeting led by VP Pence. Trump joins meeting and we decide to make announcement at press briefing in WH press Room of new findings (plus the fact that they signed an agreement with the Talaban to end the war in Afghanistan). Pence and Mick Mulvney want me standing right next to the POTUS on the podium so that I can be seen on TV, and I make remarks about the recent community cases. POTUS speaks, then VP Pence, the Azar, then me, and then Redfield. They wanted just me, but I pushed to have Redfield also make remarks. During the question period, the issue again comes up about whether I am muzzled. I go to microphone and say I am not nor have I ever been muzzled. VP Pence and Azar to be on Sunday Morning Shows tomorrow PRESS: NBC Today Show; MSNBC;