Pence dismisses governors’ concerns about coronavirus tests, Trump brags about being ‘right on the tests’

Mike Pence said Sunday that governors’ concerns about the availability of coronavirus tests are unwarranted, saying that there are enough resources for each state to begin phase one of the administration’s plan to reopen the country.

“There is sufficient testing capacity across the country today for any state in the United States to move 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 necessary coronavirus test kits available for the demand of the 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, Democrat and Republican respectively, told NBC News they have the ability to double or triple the evidence, but not the supplies necessary to do so.

Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday that states have enough tests for coronaviruses, claiming they should be on track to implement Phase One of the administration’s plan to reopen the country.

Donald Trump claimed in a tweet, shortly after his vice president’s comments, that he is “right on the evidence,” and that it is up to the governors to step up and end blockades and orders to stay home.

“There is sufficient testing capacity across the country today for any state in the United States to move to a phase one level,” Pence told NBC News on Sunday morning.

Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer (left) and Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (right) say they could double or triple the evidence if 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 test kits.

“Just as I was right about the fans (our country is now the ‘King of the fans’, other countries are asking for help, we will do it!), I’m right,” he tweeted on Sunday afternoon.

‘Governors must be able to step up and do the job. We will be with you ALL THE WAY! he said, expressing his criticism and support for the governors simultaneously.

Trump and many in his administration say it’s time to reopen the country, but several governors say they need to have more test supplies to make sure their states are declining in coronavirus cases and deaths.

The White House task force this week released “Guidelines to Reopen to Americans” to help state and local governments end blockades, stay-at-home orders and patterns of social alienation.

Phase One details that people must continue social distancing, minimize all non-essential travel, and hold social gatherings for 10 people or less.

It also details guidelines for employers, which relax with those that are already in place, but keep much of what is already in place.

In particular, Phase One of the plan would allow the reopening of large venues, such as restaurants, churches, cinemas, and sports venues, but would maintain protocols of social distancing.

It would also allow the resumption of all elective surgeries and the reopening of gyms, as long as social distancing guidelines are applied.

Pence says all states have the test capabilities and supplies that should already be entering Phase One of the reopening plan.