Tony's Diary Package — page 61

200; deaths 9800 Even more disturbing was the conversation where he wanted me to support the idea of lifting the mitigation restrictions after the 125 dya periods since if we do not do this, Mark fees thatwe will trigger a depression (not just a recession). Mark Short agreed with him, but seemed much more sensitive to the fact that I did not want to get into that kind of situation that would use my credibility to sell an economic and a political issue. After I left the office, Mark Meadows called my cell and said that afterhe looks at some modelling, he would like to sit down with me and figure out how we can resolve this issue. He did ask me directy, if I thought we needed to extend the mitigation program beyond 15 days and I said yes. He seemed to accept that. There certainly is more ahead. I called a meeting at my house with Cliff lane, Chrsitine and me to discuss how to handle this as we go forward. I cannot and will not compromise acting on my good judgment. However, I can understand Marks dilemma with the economy. There will be more discuss. Also, had conversation by phone with Governor John Bell Edwards of Louisiana who has ~400 cases in NOLA and wants my advice about how aggressive he should be and maybe copy NYC. He has already closed all the bars and restuarants. I told him to look at the inflection of the curve over the next day or so and contact his Commissione of Health. It the curve is steep, he should consider mandating only essential work and everyone else stays homw, but not quite yet. Also, Petrer Staley, Mark Harrington, James Krellenstein and others called late at night and told me that they had a bad situation in NYC where the desire to do many tests was eating up PPEs that were needed by HCWs who were taking care of COVID-19 patients. The implored me to speak out that ony necessary testing should be done, i.e. on hospitalized patient and those with sxs not in hospital, and not just anyone who wants a test. They sounded desparate that NYC would un out of PPEs within the next 7 days. I will bring this up to TF tomorrow. PRESS: CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell; FOX with Bill Hemmer; WH Press Conference; Major Washington Post Profile on me May 21, 2020 - Global 234,100 - new 24,200; deaths 9800 Italy 3,400 deaths, now surpassed China USA - 19,300; new 5300; deaths 272 (73 new) At task force meeting I stressed the problem about the PPEs being diverting to testing as opposed to HCWs. I also emphasized this strongly at the subsequent press conference. Again, we met with POTUS after the TF meeting and in preparation for the presser. Very good press conference. Big front page article abut me appeared in the Washington Post. Very flattering. The situation with my national and international fame is explosive and really unimaginable. It is not hyoperbole to say that today I am the most famous and talked about person in the