Trump hoping US deaths stay below 100,000

President Donald Trump says he’s hoping that total number of COVID-19 deaths in United States will be below 100,000.

Even that, he ackwledged on Friday, is a “horrible number.”

Trump’s predictions of expected U.S. death toll have changed over time, and he repeatedly has used high estimates to make case that his administration’s actions, especially his decision to restrict travel from China, have saved lives. His actions have been challenged by state, local and public health officials who have complained about shorts of testing supplies and safety gear for doctors and nurses.

On March 29, Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of White House coronavirus task force, revealed models projecting deaths of 100,000 to 240,000 Americans, assuming social distancing efforts were ongoing.

At same time, she said epidemiology models initially had predicted a worst-case scenario of 1.5 million to 2.2 million U.S. deaths without mitigation efforts such as social distancing, hand washing and staying home as much as possible.

Soon after, Trump began speculating that 100,000 figure was an outer limit. Later, he leaned more toward a projection of 60,000, but that w has been eclipsed by current death toll of more than 64,000. On Monday, he was thinking 60,000 or 70,000.

At a White House event on Friday, Trump said “maybe millions of lives” have been saved by shutting down ecomy.

Friday's event was to recognize five individuals that have gone above and beyond to help ir fellow Americans.

For most people, new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. vast majority of people recover from new virus.