“ ‘It’s very important for people to remember that this virus is like other viruses. It should be treated the same way.’ ”
That’s HUD secretary and White House coronavirus-task-force member Ben Carson urged people to remain calm, but to be sensible by taking preventative measures against COVID-19.
“It’s very important for people to remember that this virus is like other viruses. It should be treated the same way,” Carson told ABC News on Sunday. “We have flu seasons that come up frequently, and there are certain precautions you take during that time.”
Health experts say coronavirus comes from a different family of viruses than the flu and, while they share similarities, there is no vaccine for the coronavirus, which makes it particularly worrisome for those with weakened immune systems and older people.
He also opted not to go into specifics on ABC’s “This Week” with regard to how the Trump administration plans to handle the 3,500 passengers aboard a cruise ship that’s been hit with a coronavirus outbreak.
The Grand Princess , with 21 passengers already confirmed as positive for the virus, is scheduled to dock in Oakland, Calif., as early as Monday afternoon.
”This Week” host George Stephanopoulos pressed Carson for details.
“The cruise-ship personnel and, as you know, the vice president met with the CEOs of the major cruise-ship companies yesterday, and they are coming up with a plan within 72 hours of that meeting,” Carson said.
Stephanopoulos pointed out that the ship is due to dock well sooner than the expiration of that 72-hour period. “The plan will be in place by that time. But I don’t want to preview the plan right now,” Carson said. “I think it needs to all come from a solitary source. We shouldn’t have 16 people saying what the plan is. Particularly when it hasn’t been fully formulated.”
Watch the interview:
Carson’s comments didn’t go over well on social media, where he quickly became a trending topic on Twitter TWTR, -4.31% following his ABC DIS, +1.13% appearance.
