At today’s White House press conference, President Trump announced that the US has declared a Level 1 Disaster, which is the highest level, and that the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has been "activated in every region."
The Defense Production Act has also been engaged, with a vision to ramping up production of medical supplies and resources. Trump said that "it can do a lot of good things if we need it," and industrial production seems to be the goal.
Journalist Yamiche Alcindor used her second question to ask President Trump about his concern over the colloquial names for the coronavirus.
Today at the White House coronavirus brief, the press spent more time accusing Trump of racism than anything else. Very few asked questions that would've yielded answers useful to the public.
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 18, 2020
The press is not doing its job as it plays social justice warrior during a pandemic.
“And then my second question is there are some, or at least one White House official, who used the term ‘Kung Flu,’ referring to the fact that this virus started in China. Is that acceptable? Is it wrong? Are you worried that having this virus be talked about as a Chinese virus, that that might—”
“I wonder who said that,” the President interrupted. “Do you know who said that?”
“I’m not sure of the person’s name,” Alcindor said, “but would you condemn that? Kung flu?”
“Say the term again,” asked Trump for clarity.
“A person at the White House used the term ‘Kung Flu,” Alcindor clarified. “My question is do you think that’s wrong?”
“Kung Flu,” Trump repeated.
“And do you think using the term ‘Chinese virus’ that puts Asian Americans at risk, that people might target them?”
“No, no,” Trump said, “not at all. I think they probably would agree with it 100 percent, it comes from China. There’s nothing not to agree on.”
Asked about a White House official saying "Kung Flu" right in the face of reporter Weijia Jiang, Trump wonders "who said that" while repeatedly pressing Yamiche Alcindor to repeat the term.
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) March 18, 2020
He also says Asian-Americans agree "100%" with him using the term "Chinese Virus" pic.twitter.com/y4xQfmtkhk
Twitter was suddenly ablaze with Trump’s refusal to blame an anonymous person.
Trump declines to condemn the anonymous WH staffer alleged to have referred to the virus as "Kung Flu."
— Eli Stokols (@EliStokols) March 18, 2020
There have been anecdotal reports from Asian Americans as to how they have been treated by others with regard to the virus having originated in China. But there is no evidence that anyone involved in the Trump administration used the phrase "Kung Flu" other than the word of one reporter from CBS.
Please identify this official by name.
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) March 18, 2020
At time of writing, 112 Americans have died from coronavirus, and there are over 7,000 cases.
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