Donald Trump speaks at a White House briefing, March 16, 2020

After weeks of delay and mismanagement by Donald Trump, his Administration has finally issued guidelines for the Coronavirus crisis in the US.

The guidance, issued in a press conference on Monday, includes school closures; avoidance of groups of more than 10 people; and a halt to non-essential travel and visits to bars, restaurants, and food courts.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has pressed for the restrictions for weeks, but Trump has insisted — even as the US toll was escalating — that the virus would soon be “under control” because of his leadership.

However, Trump has faced a wave of criticism over his falsehoods and bumbling appearances, including a nationally-televised speech last Wednesday. He has also worried about the effect on his chance for re-election, amid record falls in the US stock market.

State and local officials, facing the rapid spread of the virus, took their own steps to close schools, universities, restaurants, and bars. Sporting seasons have been suspended, and museums and other public facilities shut.

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So on Monday, Trump adopted a different, somber pose on Monday as he announced that the guidance covers the next 15 days.

He acknowledged that the crisis will last for months: “It seems to me if we do a really good job, we’ll not only hold the death down to a level that’s much lower than the other way had we not done a good job, but people are talking about July, August.”

He tried to regain control of his personal and political position: “If everyone makes this change or these critical changes and sacrifices now, we will rally together as one nation and we will defeat the virus and we’re going to have a big celebration all together.”

Fauci portrayed the guidance as essential, initial steps: “I say it over and over again: When you’re dealing with an emerging infectious diseases outbreak, you are always behind where you think you are.”

He cautioned that the voluntary recommendations must be followed, “They will fail if people don’t adhere to them. We have to have, as a whole country, cooperation and collaboration.”

However, Trump said the US will not go as far as European and Asian countries which have ordered people to remain at home except in emergencies.

The market was not reassured by the Administration’s announcement. It recorded its second-worst daily drop in history, behind only Black Monday in October 1987.

The Dow Jones fell almost 3,000 points to 20,188.52, just above its level when Trump took office in January 2017. The S&P 500 was also down 12%.

The markets have lost about a third of their value since February 21.

Trump Plays Presidential — But Only for A Moment

Reporters noted Trump’s new tone as soon as he took the podium, even as he opened with a quip about the open seats between the journalists.

But the Presidential pose was soon undone.

The New York Times revealed, from a recording, that Trump told US governors on Monday morning to get necessary medical equipment themselves rather than looking to the Federal Government for leadership.

“Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves,” Trump said in the conference call. “We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Point of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself.”

Trump had said last Wednesday that he directed Labor Secretary Alex Acosta to ensure availability of respirators, and he played down fears of shortages.

The suggestion surprised some of the governors, who have been scrambling to contain the outbreak and are increasingly looking to the federal government for help with equipment, personnel and financial aid. Last Wednesday, Mr. Trump directed his labor secretary to increase the availability of respirators, and he has generally played down fears of shortages.

Governors Jay Inslee of Washington, whose State has been at the epicenter of the outbreak and the death toll, and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico reacted angrily.

“If one state doesn’t get the resources and materials they need, the entire nation continues to be at risk,” said Lujan Grisham.

In contrast to his tone at the later briefing, Trump was upbeat with the governors: “We’re going to get it remedied and hopefully very quickly.”

Blame China, The Media, Everybody Else

Trump continued his effort to shift blame to the Obama Administration, telling the governors, “We broke down a system that was broken, very badly broken.”

He sought other scapegoats via Twitter. He jabbed at Beijing over “the Chinese Virus”. He tweeted and retweeted a series of insults of the media, writing of The New York Times, “The ‘Times’ is a disgrace to journalism.”

He snapped at New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has ordered the closure of public facilities and New York City schools, “Cuomo of New York has to ‘do more’.”

Cuomo responded:

The Governor wrote, “Happy to do your job, too. Just give me control of the Army Corps of Engineers and I’ll take it from there.”