Health experts say they remain uncertain whether President Trump's goal of reopening the U.S. economy by May 1 will be possible.
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said on ABC News on Sunday that the country needs to take the coronavirus situation "day by day." Meanwhile, Surgeon General Jerome Adams told Fox News in an interview last week that most of the U.S. will not be able to reopen at the start of May.
Case numbers continue to climb in parts of the country. Health experts are concerned about what could happen if the country tries to return to normal too soon.
"Don't let anyone get any false ideas that when we decide at a proper time when we are going to be relaxing some of the restrictions, there is no doubt you are going to see cases. I would be so surprised if we did not see cases. The question is how do you respond to them," Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday.
And some state and local leaders are chiming in as well. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot told CBS News Sunday that more progress on the health care front needs to be seen before "we can even start talking about reopening the economy." New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy told CNN that reopening before a strong enough health recovery has been made could be like "pouring gasoline on the fire."
As national unemployment climbs above 5% and as economic stimulus packages are doled out, President Trump says he wants to get the economy open as soon as possible, but is weighing the matter heavily.
"I'm going to have to make a decision and I only hope to God that it is the right decision. But I would say without question, it is the biggest decision I've ever had to make," President Trump said.
Contains footage from CNN.
