NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he would invoke the Defense Production Act, which would expand the production of hospital masks and protective gear that are in short supply in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
"It can do a lot of good things if we need it," Trump said during a White House briefing.
After announcing that there are cases in all 50 states, he confirmed a statement made earlier today by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that the federal government will be deploying a US Navy ship to New York City to help with hospital capacity.
Trump added that an additional ship will be deployed to a yet to be determined location on the West Coast as well.
"They are being prepared right now. They're massive ships. They are the big, white ships with the Red Cross on the sides," Trump said about the ships.
He called the coronavirus the invisible enemy. "We're going to defeat the invisible enemy and we're going to do it faster than we thought."
He also said they will be testing thousands of people and discussed expanding the coronavirus testing capacities, including a self-swab test.
Trump also announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development would be suspending all foreclosures and evictions until the end of April.
The Department of Health and Human Services is allowing all doctors and medical professionals to practice across state lines, Vice President Mike Pence announced.
Trump began the briefing by referring to the coronavirus as the "Chinese virus." When asked by a reporter why he continues to refer to it as that, he answered "Its not racist. Not at all. It comes from China. That's why. I want to be accurate. I have great love for all of the people from our country."
When a second reporter asked Trump if it was acceptable for a White House official to use the term "Kung Flu", and if he felt that doing so would put Asian Americans at risk, he answered, "No, they probably would agree with it 100 percent."
