Senate Republicans are sounding the alarm about the growing number of coronavirus cases in the country.
Warnings come as President Trump
Donald John Trump Civil Rights Legend Representative John Lewis Dies Biden Warns About Interference In Russian Elections After Receiving Intelligence Reports Texas Officials Offer Schools Option To Offer Classes Online Only Until November MORE He has repeatedly linked the recent increase to an increase in testing, while exaggerating his administration’s response and looking optimistic about the odds of a quick shot or the disappearance of the virus altogether.
But Republican senators, in their home states, many of whom are seeing more cases, are painting a more sobering picture with their eyes on the ground.
Leader of the Senate majority Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell Memo to Mitch: Repeal Republican Tax Increase Travel Industry Demands Specific Relief Amid Coronavirus Pandemic Why Dr. Fauci Is Donald Trump’s Worst Nightmare MORE (R-Ky.) He has crossed Kentucky during the recess, telling voters that the coronavirus will not “magically disappear” and emphasizing that wearing a mask should not be a political problem.
Unfortunately, this is not over. Some expected this to go away sooner than it did. And I think the direct conversation that everyone should understand is that this is not going to go away, “McConnell said during one of the stops.
“This is going to be with us for a while,” he added. “The coronavirus is not involved in American politics. He has his own way to go, and we must act responsibly. ”
Senator Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Olin Graham Graham Releases Recently Declassified Documents on Russia Investigation The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Argentum – Debate over America’s mask intensifies Senate Republican Party set to boost Obama-era probes (RS.C.), who, like McConnell, is up for reelection, characterized the public health consequences of Memorial Day as a “disaster,” noting an increase in cases along with a decrease in hospital space and equipment. of protection available.
“You can see the effects of what happens when you stop pressing the accelerator,” he said.
Graham, a close ally of Trump in Congress, also called for people to wear a mask, wash their hands frequently, and practice social distancing, comparing fighting the coronavirus to a “war.”
“All I can say is that if you think wearing a mask is a sign of weakness, then you are wrong,” he said. “No one asks you to go to Afghanistan and shoot you, they just ask you to use common sense.”
Republicans’ pleas come as roughly 40 states are seeing an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, according to New York Times data, with public health officials warning that many Americans and government officials are offering color predictions. Pink about the likelihood of quickly returning to pre-pandemic activities such as sports and socializing in large groups.
The United States hit a record high in the number of cases in a single day on Thursday with more than 75,600 cases, according to data from the New York Times. Six of the past seven days through Friday have also had daily cases at 60,000 or more, according to the Times.
Senator Marco Rubio
Marco Antonio Rubio “Everything about this is unprecedented”: the Republican Party is dealing with its convention in the middle of a pandemic. The Memo: Can the New Campaign Manager Help Trump? House to vote on the creation of the Smithsonian Latino museum MORE (R-Fla.), Whose state recently became the global epicenter, he told Fox News, “Look, it’s bad. It’s not great.”
“People need to wear their mask, they must be more aware of it. I think they are now. But remember, the hospitalizations we are seeing today are infections that occurred two or three weeks ago. Hopefully, if we can start correcting that behavior now, we will see an improvement in the numbers as we move into next month, ”he said.
Trump has suffered months of criticism over his administration’s response to the coronavirus, including a costly delay from the start before increasing production of medical equipment and a delay in testing. He suggested earlier this month that the virus could “go away.”
“And I think we will be very good with the coronavirus. I think at some point that will just go away. I hope. … I think we are going to have a vaccine very soon too, “Trump told Fox Business.
A Quinnipiac University Survey released Wednesday found that 67 percent of registered voters surveyed do not trust the information Trump provides about the coronavirus compared to 30 percent that does. An ABC News / Ipsos poll released the week before found similar results, with 67 disapproves and 33 percent approving of the president’s response.
Trump’s handling of the virus could affect not only his chances for reelection, but also that of Senate Republicans, who are fighting to retain their majority while Democrats publish record fundraising figures. But Republican senators have been careful not to criticize Trump, whose base needs support on Election Day, even when they offer very different messages from the president when it comes to the coronavirus.
McConnell said the first thing he heard about the United States receiving a vaccine was later in the year and that the schedule was “extremely optimistic.”
“The truth is that we are not going to have a vaccine for a while, and the truth is that we are experiencing a resurgence in some states,” he said.
Trump has faced public scrutiny from Democrats and even members of his own party beyond Capitol Hill.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) wrote in a Washington Post opinion piece that the administration’s response to the coronavirus was inadequate and that it became “useless” to wait for Trump to lead the crisis.
“If we take longer, we would be condemning more citizens to suffer and die. So each governor went his own way, “Hogan wrote.
Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney
Mick Mulvaney: Long waits for test results to generate new COVID-19 fears former Trump chief of staff will hit coronavirus efforts: “We still have a testing problem” Coronavirus Report: Steve Clemons of The Hill interviews Chris Christie MORE He called the deficiencies in the country’s tests “simply inexcusable.”
The Trump administration has touted the country’s testing capabilities, and Trump said in a CBS News interview this week that “no other country tests like us.” In fact, you could say it is working too much. It is working very well. “
Republican senators, however, warn that the country still needs to dramatically increase its evaluation capacity, particularly when schools consider classes in person and more parts of the country loosen restrictions on social distancing.
“We have to focus on increasing testing capacity between now and September 1,” said Graham.
McConnell said the focus on Capitol Hill would be “testing, treatment, and vaccination.” Republicans are expected to include more money for testing, in addition to preparing to distribute vaccines in their next coronavirus relief bill.
Senator Roy Blunt
Republican Roy Dean BluntSenate Proposes Five-Year Protection Against Hillicon Valley Coronavirus Lawsuits: Facebook Considers Advertising Policy Ban | Senators Raise Concerns About Civil Rights Audit | Amazon reverses by telling workers to remove TikTok advocacy groups pressuring the Senate to meet and increase electoral funding (R-Mo.), In addition to wanting widespread testing with a 15-minute response time, he said he also urged the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Defense Department to have a plan by September for the distribution of an eventual vaccine.
“I believe that if … we are not prepared to distribute the complete kit that is needed for a person to have a vaccine that the country will be outraged and I will too,” he said. “We have had a lot of notice about this.”
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