FEB. 26, 2020
57 U.S. cases, 0 deaths
The first known case of community transmission of the coronavirus is identified in California. That’s spread of the disease where the source of exposure is not known. (Source)
“I understand this whole situation may seem overwhelming and that disruption to everyday life may be severe. … I told my children that while I didn’t think that they were at risk right now, we as a family need to be preparing for significant disruption of our lives.”
— The CDC’s Messonnier, who warned that the government’s containment strategy would likely have to move to mitigation measures such as closing businesses and schools
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“When you have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero, that’s a pretty good job we’ve done.”
— Trump, at a coronavirus task force press briefing
FEB. 28, 2020
60 U.S. cases, 0 deaths
“The reason you’re seeing so much attention to it today is they think this is going to be what brings down the president. That’s what this is all about.”
— Then-White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, speaking at the CPAC conference, where an attendee later tested positive for the coronavirus
“Now the Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus. … One of my people came up to me and said, ‘Mr. President, they tried to beat you on Russia, Russia, Russia.’ That didn’t work out too well. They couldn’t do it. They tried the impeachment hoax. That was on a perfect conversation. They tried anything, they tried it over and over. … And this is their new hoax.”
— Trump, at a campaign rally in North Charleston, S.C.