(Photo : Reuters)

When concerns grew over a potential coronavirus epidemic in the U.S., President Trump addressed the country at Wednesday night's White House press conference to explain how his administration handled the virus threat - stating a vaccine is now being "rapidly" established and "coming along very well."

Nonetheless, Anthony Fauci, who leads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, mentioned during the news conference that due to the delay in research, development, manufacturing and distribution, a vaccination wouldn't be available for "a year to a year and a half."

The press briefing was a rare appearance for the President in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, since he normally answers questions from the press outside of the White House whilst his Marine One helicopter is ready for departure.

Despite the current environment, some of Trump's targets continued to remain the same. Of particular, the president castigated the Federal Reserve and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, naming her "incompetent" after challenging his answer to the virus and saying that she can not be trusted on the issue.

The president declared that he would actually put Vice President Mike Pence "in charge" of the efforts to stop coronavirus, effective immediately. Reportedly, the White House had considered naming a virus czar as the point person on the infection.

As of now, a total of 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus have occurred in the U.S.. The list includes people who were later acknowledged on the podium by Alex Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services, who have been repatriated to the United States. Fifteen individuals have been in the initial batch of incidents, three more originated from evacuation flights, and 42 were all from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined earlier in the month by Japanese public health officials.

Asked if he could trust the numbers of coronavirus in China, Trump said only that the Chinese government was very talented, tough and smart. Moreover, the president said that it was not certain that the rate of death of coronavirus was higher than that of flu.


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Senior legislators on Capitol Hill asked for a joint budget plan which would provide additional funds to federal, state, and local officials. Congress has taken a similar path in recent years with the opioid epidemic, pouring out federal funds for prevention and treatment. New York's Senate Democratic Leader, Chuck Schumer, revealed a proposed $8.5 billion budget for the virus, while taking shots at the President's proposed budget.

For bashing the administration's financing proposals, Trump, at the news conference, labeled Schumer "Cryin ' Chuck," claiming he merely wants to be contrary.

Democrats haven't slimmed down words on the issue. Earlier this week, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said the Trump administration is utterly botching the response to coronavirus, placing the society's health and the economy in danger. However, Democrats are quicker to criticize the President, than they are to attempt to work along side the administration, using every possible opportunity to undermine President Trump's policies. 

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Concern regarding the current economic impact of the virus outbreak originating in China this week has fuelled a heavy sell-off that destroyed the gains from the market for the year.