—Reuters Photo

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump announced a plan on Tuesday to send money to Americans immediately to ease the economic shock from the coronavirus crisis and said military-style hospitals will likely be deployed to virus hot zones to care for patients.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, appearing with Trump in the White House press briefing room, said he was talking with congressional leaders on a plan to send checks immediately to displaced Americans. Trump said some people should get $1,000.

Scrambling to get a grip on an unpredictable virus that has disrupted Americans in all walks of life, Trump predicted the economic challenge will be tough short term but that the economy will eventually rebound.

“We’re going to win and I think we’re going to win faster than people think, I hope,” said Trump, surrounded by top advisers on the coronavirus crisis.

Vice President Mike Pence said the government was urging construction companies to donate N95 face masks to local hospitals and not purchase any more to help doctors.

Pence said the Army Corps of Engineers can deploy field hospitals quickly to help handle the influx of virus patients. Trump said he was looking at sites where they might be needed.

Trump on Monday urged Americans to work diligently for 15 days to try to slow the spread of the virus by avoiding crowds and staying home for the most part.

“We’re asking our older generation to stay in their homes. ... We’re asking the younger generation to stop going out,” said Trump coronavirus adviser Deborah Birx.

The abrupt slowdown has staggered the U.S. airline industry and other economic sectors and has left an increasing number of Americans unemployed.

With markets gyrating and mostly on a downward trend, Mnuchin said the U.S. stock markets should remain open to assure Americans that they can access their money.

Source: Reuters
Authors:Alexandra Alper, Steve Holland