TRUMP, HEALTH OFFICIALS URGE SCHOOLS TO PREPARE FOR CORONAVIRUS: Trump said on Wednesday that the nation’s schools should be making plans to address the coronavirus in the event that the disease spreads further in the U.S. — a scenario federal health officials said was likely.
— Trump’s remarks came during a press conference where he announced he was appointing Vice President Mike Pence to lead the federal government’s efforts to combat the epidemic.
— CDC officials have urged schools to brace for more cases of the virus in the U.S., including developing plans for school dismissals and closures as well as continuing classes online.
— “We do expect more cases and this is a good time to prepare,” said Anne Schuchat, the deputy director of the CDC, who joined Trump during the press conference. “It’s the perfect time for businesses, health care systems, universities and schools to look at their pandemic preparedness plans, dust them off and make sure that they’re ready.”