White House to disband coronavirus task force

President Trump has disclosed that White House coronavirus task force would be disbanded and another with similar functions would be formed.

While disclosing this during a tour of a Honeywell mask manufacturing plant in Arizona on Tuesday 5th May 2020, he noted that the US is one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus with more than a quarter of the world total cases of the virus.

As the country moves into phase 2 of the pandemic that has claimed more than 70,000 Americans, Trump has disclosed move to shut down the White House coronavirus task saying “We will have something in a different form” emphasizing that it is time for the country to focus on safety and reopening the country.

Responding to questions as regards whether or not shutting down the task force would be a good decision, the president responded saying, “I think we are looking at Phase 2, and we’re looking at other phases.”

Trump further stated that though the task force would be shut down, top officials like the virus response coordinator for the task force, Dr. Deborah L. Birx and other top staff and medical experts would still be part of the battle against the virus.

“They will be, and so will other doctors, and so will other experts in the field. We are bringing our country back,” said Trump.

Scrapping the task force could possibly intensify the Trump administration’s commitment to the fight against the virus as the task force stands to be disbanded in weeks to come.
Speaking earlier about the move, Vice President Mike Pence said the government was having conversation about it.

“We’re having conversations about that, and about what the proper time is for the task force to complete its work and for the ongoing efforts to take place on an agency-by-agency level,” said Pence.

While it still unknown which body would continue the job of the task force if truly shut down, the taskforce would possibly finish its work early June when it is expected to get disbanded.