Donald Trump creates clash with New York while pushing imminent vaccine availability
15 November, 2020
President Donald Trump on Friday offered a rosy update on the race for a coronavirus vaccine as he delivered his first public remarks since his defeat by President-elect Joe Biden.
Mr Trump spoke from the Rose Garden as the country sets records for confirmed cases of Covid-19, hospitalisations reach near critical levels and fatalities climb to the best levels since the spring.
With an increase of than 100,000 new confirmed US cases reported daily for greater than a week, Mr Trump was more centered on tracking the roll-out of a vaccine, which won’t be accessible for months.
He said a vaccine would ship in “a matter of weeks” to vulnerable populations, though the Food and Drug Administration hasn't yet been asked to grant the required emergency approvals.
Mr Trump also said he'd not ship vaccines to hard-hit New York until Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo signs off, noting that the state has promised to accomplish its own vaccine review to ensure their safety. “The governor will tell us when he’s ready,” the president said.
Public health professionals worry that Mr Trump’s refusal to take aggressive action on the pandemic, and also to not co-ordinate with the incoming Biden team will hinder the nation’s capability to swiftly distribute a vaccine next year.
As states impose new restrictions when confronted with rising caseloads, Mr Trump asked all Americans to stay “vigilant”. But he ruled out imposing a nationwide “lockdown”.
“This administration will never be going to a lockdown,” he said. “Hopefully whatever happens later on, who knows, which administration it will be I guess time will tell, but I can let you know this administration will not visit a lockdown.”
Mr Trump said vaccines would “arrive within a couple weeks,” saying these were ready and merely awaiting approval - and will be given “to high-risk individuals immediately”.
In fact, there’s no guarantee that Pfizer’s product, the front-runner in the race to developing a successful vaccine, are certain to get rapid authorisation for emergency use.
Even if it can, there’s no information yet indicating if the vaccine works in older adults or perhaps younger, healthier adults.
Mr Trump took no questions Friday from reporters. He hasn’t answered questions since before Election Day.
Source: www.thenationalnews.com