“I am not going to analyze who is right and who is wrong,” Dr. Stephen Hahn, a member of the White House coronavirus task force, told CNN’s “State of the Union” Dana Bash.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 35% of cases are asymptomatic, but even people with mild or no symptoms can transmit the virus to others.
While the World Health Organization has said that the global death rate is likely to be less than 1%, the WHO also said that about 20% of all people diagnosed with coronaviruses are sick enough to need oxygen or hospital care.
“I fully support the CDC and the information they are publishing regarding this pandemic,” Hahn said Sunday.
Hahn said the coronavirus pandemic is “a rapidly evolving situation,” but emphasized that the United States “absolutely must take this seriously.”
Pressed by Bash about the program on whether the President’s comment is true or false, Hahn again did not defend the President’s claim.
“What I will say is that we have data in the White House task force. That data shows us that this is a serious problem. People need to take it seriously,” said Hahn.
“If you don’t follow local and state guidelines on what to do, if you’re not following CDC guidelines and the White House task force, you’re putting yourself at risk and putting your loved ones at risk,” said Hahn .
When asked if the President was uncomfortable with those events that put Americans at risk, Hahn said the circumstances are different.
“I think, in terms of that specific instance in the White House, it’s important for everyone to remember that this is a different set of circumstances. People are regularly evaluated. The President is regularly evaluated,” said Hahn.
“No, we are seeing the increase in cases, particularly in the entire solar belt. And this virus is still with us,” the FDA commissioner told CNN.
“Too Soon to Know” if Florida is Safe for the Republican Convention
Hahn said it is “too early to say” whether Florida will be a safe haven for the Republican National Convention next month amid a surge in Covid-19 cases there.
“We will have to see how this unfolds in Florida and across the country,” Hahn said.
Republican National Committee spokesman Mike Reed told CNN that the party is committed to holding the convention in Florida, but will carry out temperature checks and make tests available to attendees.
“The RNC is committed to holding a safe convention that fully complies with current local health regulations. The event is still almost two months away, and we are planning to offer health precautions that include, but are not limited to, controls. temperature, available (personal protective equipment), aggressive disinfection protocols and COVID-19 tests available, “Reed said in a statement.
Reed added that the RNC will continue to coordinate with local leadership in Jacksonville and the state of Florida.
“We will continue to work with state and local officials to ensure the safety of all attendees. The president is looking forward to a great celebration,” Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement provided to CNN.
The convention is scheduled for August 24-27 in Jacksonville, Florida, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
The President’s reelection team selected the Sunshine State as the new location for much of the convention after discussing with officials in North Carolina about the convention’s size and social distancing requirements.
This story has been updated with additional details.
CNN’s Jeremy Diamond contributed to this report.
.
