White House Enacts New Safety Protocols After COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

On Friday, President Trump announced that the COVID-19 global pandemic would now be considered a national emergency here in the United States.  This would free up nearly $50 billion in emergency funding to help fight the spread of the disease and treat those who fall ill.

But throwing cash at a problem isn’t an “on-the-ground” solution, and new protocols are being put in place at the White House in order to keep the President safe.

The White House on Saturday began checking the temperatures of anyone in close contact with President Donald Trump or Vice President Mike Pence.

White House staff met reporters at the door of the press briefing room with a thermometer, checking the temperatures of everyone coming in for a noon press conference on coronavirus developments.

“Out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the President and Vice President.” White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.

A man who appeared to be a journalist was blocked from entering the briefing room because his temperature was deemed too high.

President Trump is still awaiting the results of a test to determine whether or not he has the virus after being in contact with a number of Brazilian officials who have since tested positive.