WASHINGTON-

FEMA

Joined by Vice President Mike Pence, United States President Donald Trump announced FEMA will now be taking the lead in the federal government’s national response to COVID-19. Pence confirmed the nation’s response will be “locally-executed, state-managed and federally-supported.”

These changes are coming as healthcare workers nationwide complain of protective equipment shortages amid alarming data that the disease hits younger people harder than projected.

FDA

Wednesday, United States president Donald Trump, in addressing the nation, spoke of developments concerning antiviral therapies to combat COVID-19.

Trump confirmed that chloroquine, or hydroxychloroquine, has been used to treat malaria or severe arthritis.

While the drug has been around “for a long time,” per Trump’s statements, there have been encouraging results in treatments and the Food and Drug Administration swiftly acted to approve this for use by prescription.

Remdesivir Gilead was also discussed and has been found to yield promising results. In speaking of this in addition to antiviral treatments, Trump shared his enthusiasm in hopes that a COVID-19 vaccine can ultimately be created.

FDA commissioner, Dr. Stephen Hahn, remarked how this organization is working swiftly and seeks to create hope in combating this malady, but not false hope.

Further discussion concerned surgeon general of the United States, Jerome Adams, saying that “social distancing does not mean social engagement.” Adams also exhorted anyone who can to give blood.