Pool Reports of March 20, 2020

In-town pool report #1

Good morning --

I'll be your in-town pooler today. Acting DHS secretary Chad Wolf just came to the microphone outside after a TV hit.

In-town pool report #3a

Here's a photo of Mr. Spicer in the briefing room.

We're inside of the 2 minute warning for the briefing.

In-town pool report #4 -- POTUS and VP appear

President Trump is speaking now, talking about his conversation with Senate Minority Leader Schumer.

Will advise of anything off-camera.

In-town pool report #5 -- briefing over

President Trump left the briefing room at 1:24 p.m., along with the rest of the briefers.

In-town pool report #6 -- lunch lid

There's a lunch lid at the White House until 3 p.m.

In-town pool report #7

Judd Deere sends the following:

Today, President Donald J. Trump spoke by telephone with roughly 12,000 American small business owners about the national response to COVID-19. The President emphasized that small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, employ nearly half of our workforce, and remain central to the Administration's actions to respond to the economic challenges caused by the virus. The President highlighted that the Small Business Administration has billions of dollars available to assist companies and has cut regulations to speed up those payments. The White House continues to engage with Congress for more relief packages for small businesses. President Trump assured entrepreneurs that his Administration will always fight for them so they can continue to provide for their communities and inspire the world with their innovations.

In-town pool report #8

Travel/photo lid was called at 6:15 p.m.

In-town pool report #9 -- positive test for staffer in the office of the vice president

The White House passes along this statement:

Attribute to Katie Miller, Press Secretary to Vice President Mike Pence:

"?This evening we were notified that a member of the Office of the Vice President tested positive for the Coronavirus. Neither President Trump nor Vice President Pence had close contact with the individual. Further contact tracing is being conducted in accordance with CDC guidelines."?