President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday that the White House's coronavirus task force will "continue on indefinitely" and instead shift its focus to "safety" and economic recovery.
Trump added that "the Task Force will also be very focused on Vaccines & Therapeutics."
Trump's tweets come a day after Vice President Mike Pence, the head of the task force, said the team could wind down its work by early June.
Trump has pushed for states to lift restrictions on non-essential businesses in an effort to restart the economy as new cases of the virus have plateaued in cities in recent weeks. However, Trump's push comes as there is evidence that the virus is on the rise in rural areas.
The Washington Post reported Tuesday that new polling suggests Americans widely oppose the reopening of most businesses amid the pandemic.
....produced in the thousands, and we have many to spare. We are helping other countries which are desperate for them. Likewise, after having been left little, we are now doing more testing than all other countries combined, and with superior tests. Face masks & shields,....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 6, 2020
....to it, as appropriate. The Task Force will also be very focused on Vaccines & Therapeutics. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 6, 2020
