Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2020

March 28, 2020

Q. Do you think we'll have enough ventilatorsââ

Federal Coronavirus Response/Coronavirus Containment Efforts in the U.S.

Q. Mr. President, do you think the Easter timeline is off the table now, sir?

The President. Well, we're going to see what happens. We want to get our country back to work. The doctors, nurses, first respondersâeverybody doing a phenomenal job, like beyond good.

I'm going to, as you know, the *Comfort*âthe great ship, *Comfort*âis stocked up to the gills. It's right up to the top. And we're going over there. And I guess some of you are coming with me. But we're going to send that up to New York, 4 weeks ahead of schedule. And it is loaded up with everything. So that's great.

I just spoke with Governor Cuomo, and he's expecting it on Monday. It will take about 2 days. So we're very excited about that.

But I'm going to go see the people that did the work, because it was supposed to take a good 4 weeks, and we did it in 4 days. So that's pretty good.

Defense Production Act of 1950 Authorities/Availability of Medical Supplies and Equipment

Q. Mr. President, have you spoken to Mark Cuban about 3M? And are you planning to maybeââ

The President. No, I thinkââ

Q. ââissue the DPA?

The President. I think 3M has done an incredible job. I just spoke to Ken Langone. I think he's on the board of 3M. He called up, and he said what a great job they've done. I think 3M, from everybodyâwhat everybody said, they've done an incredible job.

Okay?

Q. Mr. President, in terms of DPAââ

Availability of Medical Supplies and Equipment

Q. Do you think you'll have enough ventilators?

The President. Oh, we're going to have plenty. Absolutely.

Defense Production Act of 1950 Authorities

Q. Do you intend to use DPA again in the next week or so?

The President. We're going to useâI would say we'll use it again, maybe once or twice. We have a couple of little problem children, and we'll use it where we have to. But overall, I tell you, the private free enterprise system is at work like nobody has seen in a long time. It's a beautiful thing.

Q. What kinds of supplies, Mr. President?

The President. It's a beautiful thing to watch.

Availability of Medical Supplies and Equipment

Q. What kinds of supplies might you use the DPA again to produce?

The President. Well, we're looking at two companies that have not lived up to what they said. I would say they're in a 1-percent group, okay? And now, all of a sudden, they heard we're going to use it, and they're rolling out the red carpet.

Federal-State Cooperation

Q. Should anyone who lives in a State that has a Governor that you're not getting along with well be concerned at all?

The President. So I think, really, most of the Governors are very appreciative. Iâas I said, I just spoke with Andrew Cuomo. I just spoke with Ron DeSantis. We're thinking about certain things. Some people would like to see New York quarantined because it's a hotspotâNew York, New Jersey. Maybe one or two other places; certain parts of Connecticut quarantined. I'm thinking about that right now. We might not have to do it, but there's a possibility that sometime today we'll do a quarantineâshort-term, 2 weeksâon New York, probably New Jersey, certain parts of Connecticut.

Coronavirus Containment Efforts in the U.S.

Q. What about travel?

Q. Restricting travel from those places?

The President. Restrict travel. Because they're having problems down in Florida. A lot of New Yorkers are going down. We don't want that. Heavily infected. We're having a really good dialogue with Governor Cuomo. We've supplied him with a lot of things. We're giving him an extra four medical centers, tents. That's beyond what we've already given. As you know, we're giving them to New Jersey. We're doing a great job with the Governor of New Jersey. He's been very good.

Q. Will that be a more enforceable kind of quarantine, sir?

The President. Well, this would be an enforceable quarantine. And you know, I'd rather not do it, but we may need it. So I will see you over at the ship.

Q. What about the State of Washington?

NOTE: The President spoke at 12:13 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White House prior to boarding Marine One. In his remarks, he referred to Kenneth G. Langone, chairman of the board, New York University Langone Health, and cofounder, The Home Depot, Inc.; Gov. Ronald D. DeSantis of Florida; and Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey. A reporter referred to Mark Cuban, owner, National Basketball Association's Dallas Mavericks.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: White House. Locations: Washington, DC.

Names: Cuomo, Andrew M.; DeSantis, Ronald D.; Langone, Kenneth G.; Murphy, Philip D.

Subjects: Business and industry : Manufacturing industry :: Government and private sector, coordination efforts; Communications : News media :: Presidential interviews; Defense Production Act of 1950, executive authorities; Diseases : Coronavirus, domestic prevention efforts; Economy, national : Strengthening efforts; Florida : Governor; Health and medical care :

Medical equipment and supplies; Navy, Department of the : Naval hospital ships, deployment; New Jersey : Governor; New York : Andrew; New York : Governor.

DCPD Number: DCPD202000202.