In the Sunday, Mar. 29 White House COVID-19 Task Force briefing, President Donald Trump announced that the guidelines in place now for social distancing will stay in effect through April 30, 2020, rather than be loosened as had been discussed.  That means that people should stay home, work from home if possible, use drive through or takeout at restaurants, avoid travel,  and stay at least 6 feet away from other people to avoid spreading COVID-19.

He said medical experts tell him the peak of this virus in the United States could occur in 2 to 3 weeks, possibly around Easter.  He said the experts say if social distancing is not practiced,  as many as 2.2 million people in the country could die from COVID-19.  The current U.S. count of those who have COVID-19 is almost 140,000, with 2,436 deaths.

Both the President and Dr. Anthony Fauci said during the briefing that if social distancing is abandoned too soon, the country could see a second round, a sudden spike in cases.  Fauci in several interviews on Sunday had said that some models showed that millions of Americans could contract COVID-19 and 100,000 to 200,000 people could die. Fauci stressed these are models and that we have a chance to have those models not come true, by beating back the disease by social distancing and practicing good hygiene.

The President said he expects the country could be well on its way to recovery by June 1, 2020.  He noted later in the task force media briefing that June 1 is an “aspirational” date.