Trump downplays need for testing in another whiplash contradiction

CNN — On Monday, President Donald Trump instructed states to “maximize the use of all available testing platforms and venues” as they begin to plan their reemergence from coronavirus lockdown. “You’ll see some astonishing numbers – I don’t know that all of that’s even necessary,” Trump said of nationwide testing efforts during an event at the White House. The current guidelines, Pence said on Wednesday during a meeting in the Oval Office, are “very much incorporated in the guidance that we’re giving states to open up America again.” But confusing matters, Trump chimed in to explain the current guidelines will be “fading out” as states begin to reopen. But after members of Trump’s coronavirus task force – principally Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator – cautioned that Georgia’s reopening plans were not in keeping with the federal guidelines Trump had unveiled a few day earlier, he reversed course and stated publicly he disagreed “strongly” with the plans. Trump, speaking during a news conference, said specifically the plans “are in violation of the phase one guidelines.” Later, he said he would intervene in other states’ reopening plans only if he saw “something totally egregious.” The comply-if-you-want attitude has also governed Trump’s approach toward face masks, which were initially discouraged by his administration but later recommended as a way for asymptomatic people with coronavirus to avoid spreading it.