Megathread: President Trump Announces New Travel Bans and Guidelines Amidst Growing COVID-19 Concerns

President Donald Trump addressed the nation on Wednesday evening, announcing multiple measures aimed at alleviating the impact of the growing COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in the country. Trump declared a national emergency, which he stated would “unleash the full power of the federal government” to confront the crisis. The announcement came as the pandemic continues to spread and the stock market continues to plummet.<br><br>The administration’s latest measures include suspending all travel from Europe to the U.S. for the next 30 days. This ban will not apply to American citizens, permanent residents, or the spouses and children of American citizens. It will also exclude freight. Trump also announced that he would be halting all cargo and travel between the US and Canada, effective midnight Saturday. Schools have been shut down in some areas, large public gatherings have been discouraged or prohibited, and a number of large events, including March Madness, have been canceled.<br><br>President Trump spoke on the need to suspend all trips to destinations deemed “high-risk,” such as South Korea and Italy. He also strongly advised older Americans to remain at home under the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also recommended the cancellation of all gatherings of 50 people or more.<br><br>President Trump stated that the government would be waiving interest on student loans and had been in talks with major corporations to defer payments on student loans without penalties. However, his administration did not announce any forthcoming direct aid to individuals, such as the stimulus checks given out during the 2008 financial crisis. <br><br>House Democrats released a coronavirus response package earlier this week that would have expanded paid sick leave and unemployment insurance, increased funding for food assistance and other social safety net programs, and prohibited price gouging in the pharmaceutical industry. Senate Republicans did not sign on and instead proposed their own package without the aforementioned expansions and prohibitions. Senate Democrats blocked the plan and now Congressional leaders are negotiating a bipartisan emergency package.<br><br>Submissions that may interest you<br><br>SUBMISSION DOMAIN<br>President Trump Announces He Will Suspend All Travel to and From Europe Due to Coronavirus The New York Times<br>Trump "strongly considering" full or partial suspension of payroll taxes NBC News<br>Trump considers bailout for industries hit by the coronavirus POLITICO<br>Trump considering suspending payroll taxes through November election: report The Independent<br>Trump addresses the nation thedayafterus.tumblr.com<br>Trump to declare national state of emergency in response to coronavirus NBC News<br>Trump will suspend all travel from Europe to the US The Independent<br>Trump speaks on the coronavirus: "The virus will not have chance against us. No Nation is more prepared or more resilient than the United States." pbs.org<br>Trump says US will suspend all travel from Europe to US for 30 days starting Friday night CNN<br>Trump announces suspension of 'most' travel from Europe to US over coronavirus NBC News<br>Trump Is ‘Strongly Considering’ a Payroll Tax Cut Bloomberg<br>Surrendering to the reality of the coronavirus, colleges send students home and switch to online learning The Washington Post<br>Sick with coronavirus, Collier doctor still has to pay his student loans. Cutting interest rates won't help USA Today<br>Satirical post from r/relationship_advice r/relationship_advice<br>President Trump to Deliver Remarks at 9pm The White House<br>Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz game postponed due to coronavirus NBA<br>Megathread: Stocks Plunge into Bear Market after Biggest One Day Drop in History as Coronavirus Continues to Spread Globally and Plan for Potential Virus Spread in the US is Unveiled During Press Conference r/politics<br>Major League Baseball cancels the rest of its spring season because of the coronavirus outbreak LA Times<br>Just finished watching the president’s address to the nation… And holy shit that was the most reassuring thing I’ve heard all week. Go team America. The Republicans really whacked it out of the park tonight. Us vs Them… and the them just happens to be our neighbors and friends who aren’t Republicans. Chambers, you’re all fucking idiots. r/chapotraphouse<br>LA shutting down all bars, theaters CBC<br>How many people do you think will lose their jobs due to COVID-19 and/or Trump's response? And what will they do? r/AskEconomics<br>Half the fucking cabinet is quarantined now. Pence, Ross, Gorka, Barrasso... and DOD is telling service members that it's no longer ok to wear masks. What. The. Fuck. r/EscapingPrisonPlanet<br>Huge 11TH HOUR edit to Trump's travel ban announcement: "The restriction stops people not goods" CNN<br>Has anyone been tested? I got tested today and want to know personal experiences. r/COVID19positive<br>Got off work and my boss told me to not come back until April 13th. I get paid hourly and have no benefits. I'm fucked. Anyone else in a similar situation? r/EscapingPrisonPlanet<br>Florida student who was in China being tested for coronavirus, has all the symptoms (FL) Tampa Bay Times<br>Do you live in a country where your government is trying to keep the virus a secret? How is that going? r/TwoXIndia<br>Corona Virus Megathread r/LosAngelesUSD<br>&#x200B;