Mike Pence dismisses governors’ concerns over coronavirus testing and Donald Trump boasts on Twitter that he’s ‘right on testing’ as vice president claims there are capabilities for every state to begin ‘phase one’ of reopening
- Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday states have enough coronavirus tests
- He claimed governors should be well on their way to implementing Phase One of the administration’s plan to reopen the country
- Donald Trump asserted in a tweet shortly after his vice president’s comments that he is ‘right on testing’
- ‘Governors must be able to step up and get the job done. We will be with you ALL THE WAY!’ he tweeted Sunday morning
- Pence told NBC News: ‘There is a sufficient capacity of testing across the country today for any state in America to go to a phase one level’
- Democratic Governors Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Mike DeWine of Ohio claim they could double or triple testing if the supplies were available
- ‘While our capabilities are there, these important supplies are not,’ Whitmer said
- Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID
Mike Pence said Sunday that governors’ concerns over availability of coronavirus tests are unwarranted, as he asserted there are enough resources that every state should begin ‘phase one’ of the administration’s plan to reopen the country.
‘There is a sufficient capacity of testing across the country today for any state in America to go to a phase one level,’ Pence told NBC’s Chuck Todd.
The vice president’s comments come as governors have expressed that their respective states do not have the availability of testing kits for coronavirus necessary for the demand of people who need them.
‘While our capabilities are there, these important supplies are not,’ Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer told NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday morning.
Whitmer and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, both Democrats, told NBC News that they have the capabilities to double or triple testing, but not the supplies needed to do so.
Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday that states have enough coronavirus tests, claiming they should be well on their way to implementing Phase One of the administration’s plan to reopen the country
Donald Trump asserted in a tweet shortly after his vice president’s comments that he is ‘right on testing,’ and that it’s up to governors to step up and end lockdowns and stay-at-home orders
‘There is a sufficient capacity of testing across the country today for any state in America to go to a phase one level,’ Pence told NBC News Sunday morning
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (left) and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (right) – both Democrats – claim they could double or triple testing if the supplies were available. ‘While our capabilities are there, these important supplies are not,’ Whitmer said
Shortly after the vice president’s comments, Donald Trump tweeted that governors are the ones who need to step up, claiming they have enough testing kits.
‘Just like I was right on Ventilators (our Country is now the ‘King of Ventilators’, other countries are calling asking for help-we will!), I am right on testing,’ the president tweeted Sunday afternoon.
‘Governors must be able to step up and get the job done. We will be with you ALL THE WAY!’ he said, voicing his criticism and support for governors simultaneously.
Trump and many in his administration claim it’s time to reopen the country, but several governors claim they need to have more testing supplies to make sure their states are waning in cases and deaths from coronavirus.
The White House task force released ‘Guidelines for Opening Up American Again’ this week to assist state and local governments in ending lockdowns, stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines.
Phase One details that individuals should continue social distancing, minimize all non-essential travel and keep social gatherings to 10 people or less.
It also details guidelines for employers, which loosens up on those already in place, but maintains a lot of what is already in place.
Most notably, Phase One of the plan would allow large venues, such as restaurants, churches, movie theaters and sporting venues to reopen, but maintain social distancing protocols.
It would also allow all elective surgeries to resume and for gyms to reopen – as long as social distancing guidelines are enforced.
Pence says all states have the testing capabilities and supplies that they should already be entering Phase One of the reopening plan.