Reopening America, one step at a time!

President Trump announced two weeks ago that America had turned a corner in its war on the Coronavirus. “The battle continues,” he said, “but the data suggests that nationwide we have passed the peak on new cases.”

The next day, he unveiled guidelines for states to begin safely reopening our country.

At least 25 states have released formal reopening plans or criteria as of April 24. The rest have announced that such guidelines are forthcoming. President Trump’s three-phased approach calls for governors to evaluate specific data around new cases, covid-like symptoms, and hospital capacity in their areas before deciding how to proceed.

Jared Kushner: “The goal here is to get people back to work.”

The federal government has all hands on deck to help. On Monday, President Trump released a Testing Blueprint to assist states in implementing expanded testing and rapid response programs. This week, the President has already met with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards about reopening their states.

“What a job they’ve done,” President Trump said of Louisiana’s efforts to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

“We’ve obviously turned the corner in Louisiana—we’re in a much, much better place than we thought was even possible five or six weeks ago,” Gov. Edwards said. “That’s because of our local partners and our Federal partners and hard work.”

⚜️ Louisiana Governor: We’re able to start reopening our economy

The Governor thanked President Trump for his Administration’s response. “The field medical stations you provided, the Navy medical personnel that you sent to Louisiana, the testing that we had early was the key. And that has informed our testing strategy going forward,” he said.

Other states are working hard to get Americans back to work, too. In Montana, Gov. Steve Bullock announced a phased reopening plan last week that reflects President Trump’s criteria, including a multi-week decline in positive COVID-19 cases.

“The data is on our side, and President Trump has created a pathway to safely open up our country,” Senior Advisor Jared Kushner told Fox News today.

President Trump: We’re making sure Louisiana has everything it needs

Great news on the horizon for COVID-19 treatments

WATCH: We built the greatest economy on Earth. Together, we’ll do it again!

The White House hosted eight incredible small business leaders yesterday who represent the very best of American resilience and entrepreneurial grit.

Their small businesses suffered when the Coronavirus came to our shores. Thanks to President Trump’s Paycheck Protection Program, now they’re all making a comeback.

The stories they told President Trump yesterday show just how meaningful this economic relief for American small businesses really is:

Michael and Amy, from Bitty + Beau's Coffee, recall the moment they learned their loan was approved: “That was shocking,” Michael said.
Ali Mills helps lead a highway and bridge contracting firm outside of Pittsburgh. “With the loan funds, we were able to bring back a majority of our company.”

Dr. Chris Stansbury, co-founder of West Virginia Eye Consultants, called the program a "lifeline" for small businesses in dire circumstances.

Jackie Krick runs a small company in Virginia. “I’m a woman-owned, Hispanic business,” she says. “The PPP has helped my company tremendously. We have 30 employees we’ve been able to maintain without cutting their hours.”
Luke Bernstein helps run a community bank in central Pennsylvania. The PPP “has helped so many people in our communities—mechanics, delis, restaurants, pizza shop owners, construction workers…”