Tony's Diary Package — page 56

in the VP's office. In preparing for the briefing which was geared to rolling out the high throughput tests in collaboration with the States and the private sector that will be operational in the next day or so, they wanted to spin it that this was unprecedented that no one has ever done this so quickly. Deb did not speak up which shows me that she is really inhibited by her Presidential appointee status. A little shame on her. I spoke up and said that several countries have already done what we are talking about, i.e. China, South Korea and so why not stop bragging and just say that we are entering a new phase of our response to COVID-19, i.e. a much more expansive testing capability. Hope Hicks and Jared Kuschner were my allies in this and both seem to now want to make sure that I am involved in everything and approve everything. The POTUS came in and misunderstood thinking that we (the USG) would be implementing the testing. He was pissed. Brett and VP corrected him. However, he remained in a bad mood. He then said that he wanted to show his face and make some remarks without Qs and As at the briefing. Hope felt this was dangerous and said he should not do it. He started to berate Hope in front of everyone say that he became president because he was good and dealing with the public and was pissed that Hope was trying to tell him what he could or could not do. I spoke with Bill de Blasio (Mayor - NYC) and convinced him based on what I was saying publicly and my conversation tonight to close the NYC schools (he had already decided based on what I was saying on TV). I went on to tell him he should close the bars and restaurants in NYC. He said that he would base this on my recommendation. I had a similar call with Ann O'Leary, the COS of Gov. Gavin Newsom of California. Ann said that based on my TV appearances today and yesterday, the Governor has decided to close the schools in California as well as the bars and restaurants. When I left the WH and crossed Pennsylvania and 17th Street, several cars honked their horns and shouted "thank you" out the window. Congress (Blount) call and wants to give us a lot more in a 2nr supplement. Mar. 16, 2020 - Came out with the guidelines that reflected my pushing for a more aggressive mitigation 15 day strategy → If you are elderly, self-isolate; do not congregate in groups >10 people; stay away from bars, restaurants, theaters, sporting events; if a community has community spread CLOSE the bars, restaurants and places of congregation; close schools where there is community spread; no visitors to nursing homes; if family member is sick, others in family should take extra percautions; only necessary travel, telework as much as possible. Press conference after was highly attended. Stock market dropped byu 3000 points, the biggest percentage drop in history. PRESS: ABC 20/20 coronavirus special with David Muir;