U.S. President Donald Trump doesn't want to continue the isolation of America any longer. He hinted his plan to reopen businesses in the U.S. by Easter amidst the stern warning from health experts that the coronavirus pandemic will escalate in the coming weeks. The president got backing from one of his loyal supporters but not from many Americans.
The United States of America has already recorded almost 55,000 cases and nearly 800 deaths. It is expected to soar in the coming days. Texas alone has more than 350 confirmed COVID-19 cases and nine deaths.
More and more states have implemented a stay-at-home order, in which residents are prohibited to leave their homes unless necessary. Texas lieutenant governor Dan Patrick, however, believed Americans should not live in fear of COVID-19 and act together to save the economy of the country. Patrick is one of the staunch supporters of Trump. He was the Texas chairman of Trump's presidential campaign in 2016.
He told Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson that he would be willing to risk his life in the pandemic if it means protecting the U.S. economy for the future of the next generation. Patrick also issued an appeal to his fellow senior citizens to make a sacrifice amidst the deadly COVID-19.
"Let's get back to work, let's get back to living, let's be smart about it, and those of us who are 70 plus, we'll take care of ourselves but don't sacrifice the country. Don't do that," he said.
The lieutenant governor's statement came after Trump said during the White House briefing that he wanted to lift restrictive public health measures in the U.S. as soon as possible as the country is halfway through a 15-day measure to slow the spread of COVID-19 s through social distancing.
The president stressed that his major concern was the state of the US economy. The president said he intends to reopen America for business again in weeks, not months otherwise the country could suffer a massive recession or depression.
Trump and Patrick's remarks were met with backlash on social media. Many Americans hit back on Trump and Patrick for insisting to make the economy a priority than human lives. Others slammed Patrick for speaking on behalf of many senior citizens in the country. Many believe that the U.S. economy will always recover even in the worst crisis.
"A temporary economic hit isn't worth dooming millions to permanent PREVENTABLE death and disability," one said.
"Just let Dan get even a hint that he's infected and see how quick he seeks treatment. Yet he wants to speak on behalf of millions of others. Protecting LIVES is sacrifice. Not protecting money!" another wrote.
