U.S. Government Warns Coronavirus Could Last For 18 Months

U.S. Government Warns Coronavirus Could Last For 18 Months

The United States federal government have prepared a response plan to the Coronavirus pandemic on the country which indicates that the virus could affect the U.S. for up to 18 months.

The New York Times reported that a 100-page plan prepared by the Trump administration notes that the virus could come and go in “multiple waves,” making it difficult to effectively stop it entirely.

President Trump revealed earlier this week that the pandemic is thought to last until July or August in the U.S., but the latest predictions see the ultimate fallout of the virus impacting the country for as long as a year-and-a-half.

Moreover, the plan outlines the potential steps that the government could take in order to control the spread of the virus. The government is considering invoking the The Defense Production Act of 1950, a law that would require private companies to increase their production of essential goods, like respirators and ventilators, under the command of a sitting president.

“During World War II, our country adapted to the demands of the time to produce mass quantities of bombers, tanks, and many smaller items needed to save democracy and freedom in the world. We know what the demands of this time are, and we must act now to meet these demands,” Michigan’s Representative Andy Levin and other House Democrats said.

Donald Trump also addressed the possibility of utilizing this law during a recent press briefing : “Well, we’re able to do that if we have to,” he said.

“Right now, we haven’t had to, but it’s certainly ready. If I want it, we can do it very quickly. We’ve studied it very closely over two weeks ago, actually. We’ll make that decision pretty quickly if we need it. We hope we don’t need it. It’s a big step.”