Senior adviser warned of coronavirus threat in January, Trump admits he only knew about the memo this week [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• As early as January, President Trump was sent two warnings about the coronavirus, but he noticed it only this week.
• The memo cautioned that COVID-19 would infect millions of Americans if the government doesn’t take drastic measures to fight the pandemic.
• Trump clarified that it was his job to assure Americans that everything will be fine.  

During a press briefing on Tuesday, President Donald Trump disclosed it was only a day ago that he learned of a memo warning him of the forthcoming coronavirus pandemic. 

The memo says the coronavirus could lead to the deaths of up to 2 million Americans.

The letters, which came from the president’s own economic adviser, was forwarded to the White House by January and February.

Trump said that he got a word of a memo talking about a virus pandemic, adding that he wasn’t able to see them or even look for them later.

It was on January 29, when Peter Navarro first notified the administration of an imminent COVID-19 crisis, adding if the government doesn’t launch strict measures right away, it could claim the lives of at least five hundred thousand Americans.

Navarro also said then that the pandemic could cost the U.S at least $6 trillion.

Then on February 23, the adviser wrote another memo where he claimed that at least 100 million Americans could be ill with coronavirus, and the outbreak can lead to the deaths of more than 2 million U.S. residents.

By February 27, Trump made an announcement about the coronavirus outbreak and gave an assurance to Americans that the White House is on the top of the situation.

During that time, there are 15 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S, and Trump confidently said the numbers would be close to zero within two days. 

Trump also said that he was not told about the memo, although he asked Navarro about it this week. However, Trump added that although he now knows what the letters might say, he admitted he has to read them yet.

While Navarro is an economist by profession, he has no medical nor national security experience. He had a heated argument with a CNN broadcaster John Berman on Monday over his promoting the use of hydroxychloroquine as  COVID-19 medication.

Navarro reasoned that his qualification as a social scientist with a Ph.D. makes him capable of analyzing statistical data and coming up with an informed stand on the issue.

The U.S faced a steady upsurge of coronavirus cases for weeks now, and Trump was active on the task force daily presser, arguing that the nation is dealing with an invisible enemy, noting the outbreak can’t be anticipated.

Trump was also criticized for downplaying the health crisis, and on Tuesday, he clarified his earlier position in dealing with coronavirus.

Trump explained that his role as a president is to be a cheerleader of the country, and he doesn’t want to create panic.

Currently, COVID-19  has infected around 400,000 people in the U.S with more than 13,000 casualties. 

Source: AOL