Desk Report, 15 March:

President Donald Trump has tested
negative for the novel coronavirus, his physician said Saturday, following
concerns over his exposure to a disease that has paralyzed the globe.

Trump agreed to the test after coming in contact with several members of a
Brazilian presidential delegation visiting his Florida resort who has since
tested positive for the virus. “This evening I received confirmation that the
test is negative,” the president’s physician Sean Conley said in a memo.

“One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation at Mar-a-Lago,
the President remains symptom-free,” he said.

Trump, 73, had dismissed concerns over his exposure to the disease which
has killed at least 51 Americans and upended the rhythm of daily life across
the country, with millions working from home and schools shuttered.

New York, the most populous US city, saw its first coronavirus death on
Saturday, as store shelves were stripped bare after days of panic buying.

“I have been through Hurricane Sandy… through 9/11, I have never seen
shopping like this,” said Larry Grossman, manager of a Manhattan supermarket.

Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday announced a further restriction on
travel to the United States, saying a travel ban imposed on European nations
over the pandemic would be extended to the United Kingdom and Ireland
Tuesday.

Trump advised against non-essential travel and said officials were
considering imposing travel restrictions within the United States.

“If you don’t have to travel, I wouldn’t do it,” Trump said at a White
House news conference. “We want this thing to end. We don’t want a lot of
people getting infected.”

Trump declared a national emergency on Friday in what critics say was a
long-delayed admission of the gravity of the crisis, freeing up some $40
billion in disaster relief funds.

Late Friday, the US House of Representatives passed a bill — crafted by
Democrats in consultation with the Trump administration — to provide
billions of dollars for free virus testing, emergency paid sick leave and
the family leaves related to the epidemic.

Supported by Trump, it is expected to easily pass the Republican-controlled
Senate next week.

News of Trump taking the test marked a further turning point, after days of
resistance to the suggestion.

– An end to hand-shaking –

The coronavirus pandemic has claimed more than 5,700 lives in some 137
countries.

Repeatedly attacked for sending out mixed signals on the health crisis, the
the president raised eyebrows on Friday when contrary to medical advice, he was
seen shaking hands as he gathered his coronavirus response team at the White
House.

On Saturday, he blamed habit — “people put their hand out… you don’t
think about it” — but said it would have to change.

“Maybe people shouldn’t be shaking hands for the long term,” said Trump, a
self-declared germophobe, “because it does transmit flu and other things.”

Trump’s virus test came after not only contact with the Brazilian
the delegation, but also US lawmakers and political leaders who have gone into
self-quarantine over the potential infection.

Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel was on Saturday
awaiting results of a virus test after she came down with flu-like symptoms.
She reportedly attended an event in Florida with Trump on Monday and flew
back to Washington on Air Force One.

– A broader travel ban –

On Saturday a 30-day US ban took effect on all travel from the EU’s
Schengen border-free zone, part of a global clampdown on travel to curtail
the virus.

Pence said the ban — which notably excluded Britain and Ireland — would
include both countries as of midnight EST on Monday (0400 GMT on Tuesday).

“Americans in the UK or Ireland can come home. Legal (US) residents can
come home,” Pence said.

Trump also aimed a new jab at the US Federal Reserve, saying he wanted it
to be “much more proactive” in moving to protect Americans from the
the widespread economic dislocation caused by the pandemic.

But the president — wearing a navy blue USA cap — seemed otherwise
subdued during Saturday’s briefing, uncharacteristically offering praise to
Democrats including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Pelosi said she was “proud” to have reached an agreement on the relief
package after days of tense talks with the White House.

Trump also tweeted that he had a “nice conversation” with the Canadian leader
Justin Trudeau and that it was “great to hear that his wonderful wife Sophie
is doing very well.”

Trudeau has been telegoverning since his wife was diagnosed with COVID-19
on Thursday.