Iran Press/ America: Trump sought on Wednesday to deflect criticism of his administration’s response to the coronavirus.
"The Obama administration made a decision on testing that turned out to be very detrimental to what we’re doing, and we undid that decision a few days ago so that the testing can take place in a much more accurate and rapid fashion," Trump said. "That was a decision we disagreed with. I don’t think we would have made it, but for some reason it was made. But we’ve undone that decision."
It was not entirely clear what he was referring to. Health experts and veterans of the government during Obama’s presidency said they were unaware of any policy or rule changes during the last administration that would have affected the way the Food and Drug Administration approved tests during the current crisis. Moreover, if there were, Trump did not explain why his administration did not change the rules during its first three years in office.
Trump appeared intent on focusing attention on the Obama administration at a time when his own handling of the outbreak has come under intense criticism. He made a point of using the former president’s name in comments to reporters during a White House meeting with airline executives, called to discuss the economic effect of the virus.
United Airlines cancels flights
Following the White House meeting, United Airlines said that it would cut its North American flight schedule by 10 per cent in April, and its international schedule by 20 per cent. These cuts would likely last up and beyond May, and depending on demand.
The news came in a joint letter to employees from CEO Oscar Munoz and president Scott Kirby.
Meanwhile, there is a hiring freeze until 30 June, employees are being offered voluntary unpaid leave, and salary increases have been postponed.
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