Tony's Diary Package — page 33

phone call at home from President Trump taly, Iran, Japan. Big surprise was at 10:35 PM tonight I got a phone call at home from President Trump who wanted to chat about the coronavirus situation in general. We spoke for about 2025 minutes. I encouraged him not to underplay the seriousness of the situation since if it turns out bad, it would look like he is covering up. I even spoke to him from a political standpoint that his chances for re-election might be more damaged if he downplayed the potential spread of virus in the USA than if he said we may face serious problems and even if the Stock Market goes down further, he was at least honest and the country would respect him for it. I thought that he heard what I said, but the next day, he again underplayed it. Feb. 28, 2020 - Much community spread in South Korea, Italy, Iran, Japan. Briefed the All House Membership at the Capitol Visitor Center. Question came up of whether I am muzzled and I explained that this was not the case. PRESS: MSNBC - Chris Matthews Hardball; FOX Business with Gregg Jarrett; Feb. 29, 2020 - 86,000/2941. Important Day - Went to Situation Room for a Saturday AM (10:00 AM task force meeting) when it became clear that there was several new cases of "community spread" There were already 14 cases (12 from Wuhan and 2 spouses). Then we learned a few days ago that there were 2 cases in California that were community based and both were now on respirators. The NEW information from yesterday is that there are now 6 additional cases - 1 in Oregon of a 45 yo who is now in the ICU and 5 cases near Seattle Washington, one of whom died last night; another one is hospitalized; and a 73 yo in long term care is now in an ICU; one just returned from Korea and so that might be a link for that person, but the others are unknown source. A new chapter in the outbreak. 6 hour meeting in the White House Situation Room. We increased travel alert to Italy and Korea and no travel to Iran. Level 3 for Italy and Level 4 to Northern Italy. Level 3 for Korea and Level 4 for Daegu in Korea. I suggest and it is accepted as the "Fauci Rule" of asking these countries to do exit screening on people coming from their country to USA. Meeting led by VP Pence. Trump joins meeting and we decide to make announcement at press briefing in WH press Room of new findings (plus the fact that they signed an agreement with the Talaban to end the war in Afghanistan). Pence and Mick Mulvney want me standing right next to the POTUS on the podium so that I can be seen on TV, and I make remarks about the recent community cases. POTUS speaks, then VP Pence, the Azar, then me, and then Redfield. They wanted just me, but I pushed to have Redfield also make remarks. During the question period, the issue again comes up about whether I am muzzled. I go to microphone and say I am not nor have I ever been muzzled. VP Pence and Azar to be on Sunday Morning Shows tomorrow