U.S. Plan Warns Coronavirus Pandemic Could Last ’18 Months or Longer’

The U.S. has announced an 18-month plan for the #coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

Last week, Donald Trump declared the outbreak of the coronavirus a national emergency, prompting the release of new bills and policies for citizens to follow, including self-quarantines, business shutdowns, and new paid and sick leave plans.

The latest action from the federal government is a 100-page plan that states the coronavirus pandemic “will last 18 months or longer and could include “multiple waves.” The plan was officially established the same day Trump made the national emergency announcement, laying out a course of action based upon knowledge the government currently has about the outbreak. The plan also highlights that the government will be utilizing agencies within the government and possibly granting Trump special presidential powers over those private sectors.

One of the “additional key federal decisions” listed in the options for Trump is the ability activating the Defense Production Act of 1950, a Korean War-era law that allows the president to force the American industry to mass-produce critical equipment for health care workers including ventilators, respirators, and protective gear, M.S.N. reports. “Shortages of products may occur, impacting health care, emergency services, and other elements of critical infrastructure,” the plan warns federal officials. “This includes potentially critical shortages of diagnostics, medical supplies (including P.P.E. and pharmaceuticals), and staffing in some locations.” P.P.E. refers to personal protective equipment.”

“State and local governments, as well as critical infrastructure and communications channels, will be stressed and potentially less reliable. These stresses may also increase the challenges of getting updated messages and coordinating guidance to these jurisdictions directly,” the plan continued.

Some of the plan’s suggestions have already taken place, like forcing schools to close and large gatherings and events to be put on hold. The move for the plan comes on the heels on legislators requesting Trump to invoke the plan. “While the administration’s response has so far lacked the urgency this crisis has called for, there are still steps you can take to mitigate the damage. Invoking the powers vested in the D.P.A. will enable the federal government to step up and take the type of aggressive steps needed in this time of uncertainty,” said Senator Bob Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey in a letter to Trump on Tuesday.