U.S. President Trump leads the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington
(Photo: Reuters)

Since the beginning of the pandemic, over 1.6 million people have now been tested for coronavirus in the United States after the first confirmed case was reported on January 21.

In hindsight, the U.S. still lags behind countries when it comes to testing per capita. By population, that means the U.S. tested about one in every 185 people in comparison. According to their official coronavirus tracking websites, South Korea, Italy, and Germany tested one out of every 119 people, one out of 104 people, and one out of 90 people, respectively. 

"We've tested more now than any nation in the world," United States President Donald Trump declared. "We've got these great tests, and we're coming out with a faster one this week."

During a White House conference last Sunday, the president expressed hope in seeing the hotspots leveling off. He then called for the immediate distribution of the stimulus checks.

Many critics considered the U.S. was too late to contain the virus as there was not enough early testing that could have allegedly prevented the outbreak. 

As much as possible, the U.S. must continue to test more people and isolate and treat the infected.

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Light at the End of the Tunnel

Trump is hopeful that the country will soon see the end of this crisis. "In the days ahead, America will endure the peak of this terrible pandemic."

He adds that New York City will be seeing to the arrival of 600,000 N95 masks as per the request of Mayor Bill de Blasio. An additional 200,000 are being sent to Long Island. Meanwhile, New Jersey, Louisiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Massachusetts are waiting for the ventilators provided by the government that is to be sent by the hundreds.

"I'd be lying to you if I say he hasn't been responsive to our needs." California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted last Wednesday with transparency regarding the response of the Trump administration to the health crisis. "He has. And so, as a sort of an offer of objectivity, I have to acknowledge that publicly."

Every time Newsom tries to call the president, he reaches him as quickly as he gets on the line. Upon asking for assistance and support for the Mercy ship in Southern California, Trump was able to address that need in real-time.

 "We've got 2,000 of these field medical sites that are up," Newsom says, adding that most of them were functioning now because of Trump's support. "Those are the facts."

Trump remarked that New York has seen its first drop in daily coronavirus deaths. Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo explains that the discharge rate in New York has gone "way up." Hospitals have also seen a decline in intensive-care admissions, which is great news.

Criticism Where It Is Due

Up until recently, Trump and Democrats have been hurling complaints and criticisms of each other's performances. Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker expressed his displeasure over the lack of ventilators provided to his state.

"Pritzker...He's always complaining," President Trump says during a White House conference. "You're not able to do what you are supposed to be able to do as a governor. He has not performed well."

After a press briefing, Vice President Mike Pence said he discussed with Pritzker. According to the latter, he was highly appreciative that "our Army Corps of Engineers had constructed 500 beds at McCormick Place, and before the end of this week would construct another 2,500 beds for an overflow health facility in Chicago."

Pence adds that they have sent 600 ventilators to Illinois, even reassuring both the governor and mayor that Michigan and Illinois are still part of their priorities. "At the president's direction, we're gonna make sure that the people of Illinois and the people of Michigan have the resources, equipment, and support that they need."