Trump Officially Extends Nationwide Social Distancing Until April 30th

Roommates, if you were hoping that the current social distancing was coming to an end, we have bad news for you. Trump just announced that the nationwide social distancing has been officially extended for another 30 days, ending on April 30^th.

Trump’s decision to extend the restrictive social distancing guidelines through the end of April comes after he faced intense pressure and criticism from public-health experts who presented him with projections of more increasing cases of the expanding coronavirus pandemic.

The move is a completely difference stance than Trump took just a few days ago, when he stated in a press conference that he was urging for the country to reopen by Easter, which is April 12^th. He now says that those previous remarks were only “aspirational” and not actually set in stone.

The initial 15-day period of social distancing expires on March 30^th —since that date is quickly approaching, Trump expressed interest in relaxing the national guidelines in parts of the country that are less impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. Many states and local governments already have stiffer social distancing regulations in place on mobility and gatherings.

Trump’s turnaround is largely contributed to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, who said the U.S. could experience more than 100,000 deaths and millions of infections from the pandemic. Fauci’s warning is sobering recognition that the struggle against the coronavirus will not be resolved as quickly as Trump had initially projected.

Roommates, what are your thoughts on this?