Trump extends "15 Days to Slow the Spread" guidelines by 30 days as COVID-19 cases heighten

President Trump speaking during coronavirus task force briefing, Sunday. Photo by Patrick Semansky/AP

By Aaron Sincere Kershaw

Sunday, President Trump announced an extension of his "15 Days to Slow the Spread" guidelines to April 30, hoping to halt the spread of COVID-19, the new coronavirus which has claimed more than 2,000 American lives.

Axios reported Friday that Trump advisers were attempting to steer the President away from self-imposed deadlines, as medical professionals considered them unrealistic. At the same time, some economists admonished Trump's time frame for having potentially detrimental effects on the stock market if he continues to renege on promised deadlines to contain the virus.

Trump's decision to extend the deadline reads as a err on the side of caution. Still, as advisers reportedly hoped the President would avoid strict dates for sending Americans back to work, Trump defiantly postponed the deadline's stemming to a month away.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases interviewed by CNN’s Jake Tapper. Photo-CNN screenshot.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Sunday based on the current model tracking the pace of COVID-19's spread, 100,000 to 200,000 Americans might succumb to the deadly virus.

This sobering assessment seemed to have altered Trump's strategy and tone, perhaps to the delight of his medical team.

"The modeling estimates that the peak in death rate is likely to hit in two weeks," Trump said.

"Nothing would be worse than declaring victory before the victory is won. That would be the greatest loss of all."

Trump's guidelines sprang from the CDC's recommendations to contain the virus citing good personal hygiene, cleaning your home, and following the directions of state and local authorities. 

Last week, Trump criticized the medical community's unfounded desire to "keep it shut for a couple of years," fearing too long a shut down of American businesses would hurt the U.S. economy going into November's presidential election.

Whether April 30 will spawn a loosening of the guidelines is to be determined as Americans brace themselves for an escalation of COVID-19 cases.

Please follow Aaron Kershaw on Twitter at @polygraphtics