Trump Says ‘Body Bags All Over,’ Warns Americans of Dark Coronavirus Reality; Entire Nursing Home Tests Positive for Coronavirus; 700 Police Officers Test Positive for COVID-19; and CEO of Columbia Sportswear Cuts His Salary to Help His Employees.
Although President Trump initially wanted the country to open back up by Easter, he’s now backtracking and has extended federal social distancing guidelines to April 30.
During an evening news conference, Trump said, “Nothing would be worse than declaring victory before the victory is won. That would be the greatest loss of all.”
Trump also talked about what he’s seen on the news recently regarding coronavirus, and how it shifted his approach to the spreading pandemic.
“I’ve been watching that for the last week on television. Body bags all over in hallways. I have been watching them bring in trailer trucks, freezer trucks–they are freezer trucks because they can’t handle the bodies, there are so many of them.”
“This is essentially in my community in Queens–Queens, New York. I have seen things I’ve never seen before. I mean, I’ve seen them, but I’ve seen them on television in faraway lands,” said Trump.
He continued, “These are trucks that are as long as the Rose Garden and they are pulling up to take out bodies, and you look inside and you see the black body bags. You say, ‘What’s in there? It’s Elmhurst Hospital, must be supplies.’ It’s not supplies, it’s people.”
Related: Trump Unveils New Social Distancing Guidelines Based on Geography
115 residents and staff at the Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation have tested positive for COVID-19 after they received their test results on Sunday. Two residents have died from the virus, according to WSMV in Nashville, Sumner County officials.
Officials worked to evacuate 23 of the residents on Friday after Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed an executive order that restricted visitors from entering the facility. On Saturday, National Guardsmen started to test all of the residents for coronavirus.
By Sunday, 33 staff members and 59 additional residents tested positive for COVID-19, and the affected residents have been hospitalized or isolated at home. The facility is now being cleaned and disinfected thoroughly, according to the governor’s office.
The Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation and Healing posted a statement on Facebook that read:
“Yesterday, we worked with the DOH and emergency management systems of Gallatin to test all patients and staff for the COVID-19 virus. As you are aware, you may test positive for this virus and have no symptoms at all.
We are anticipating positive results and those patients will be sent to the local hospital. Although none of those patients are currently showing symptoms, we are working in conjunction with the hospital to err on the side of caution as it’s the safest way of protecting our entire community, which is comprised of the frail and medically complex.
Once we receive results, we will contact each family. At this time, we have no names to confirm. In regards to our staff, all positive employees will be treated and only return to work when well and clinically approved and we will continue to work with local governing agencies to ensure full staffing at our community.
We ask for your continued prayers, kindness and sheltering in place practice so that we may all get through this together.”
Related: Hobby Lobby Forces Sick Employees to Work Even if They Test Positive
New Jersey officials revealed on Saturday that about 700 police officers have tested positive for coronavirus.
“There’s more than 700 police officers quarantined at home, and there’s about the same number that have tested positive from all 211 counties,” said Col. Patrick Callahan.
According to recent State Police data, there are about 36,000 officers in the state. Experts are saying residents shouldn’t worry about an officer shortage.
No officers have died from the virus at this time, and only two are in “serious condition.” Crime has reportedly dropped in the state, which would help departments cope with any staffing issues.
Jon Shane, a retired Newark police captain said, “We don’t need as many police officers to respond if the work isn’t there.”
Related: Dead Hospital Worker Found With Her Child By Her Side
Tim Boyle, the CEO of Columbia Sportswear has cut his salary to $10k. This move is in an effort to help his employees keep their paychecks. This includes those who work in the company’s recently shuttered retail stores.
On March 16, the sportswear company shut down its brick and mortar retail stores in response to the coronavirus outbreak. They expect the closures to remain in place for at least another two weeks. Some employees have probably granted the opportunity to work from home.
A statement on the company’s website reads, “Columbia has been in business since 1938 and weathered many storms by keeping our focus on the well-being of consumers, employees and the larger community.”
During the most recent year available, 2018, Boyle took home a total compensation of $3.3 million. While some employees might have started to search for the cheapest phone plans to tide them over, they now have a little less to worry about.
Related: Queen Elizabeth at Risk of Catching Coronavirus?
