White House outlines ways for Washington, California to reduce COVID-19

The White House on Wednesday said Washington state and California should take more drastic steps to thwart the spread of the coronavirus for 30 days, from expanding sick leave for workers to moving church services to video and playing pro and college games behind closed doors.

The recommendations say schools should perform health checks, while senior-living facilities should stagger schedules to reduce interactions.

“President Trump has made clear that the Task Force must move decisively to protect the health and safety of the American people,” Vice President Mike Pence said. “These recommendations outline a whole-of-community approach to immediately minimize the impacts of coronavirus in these cities and towns.”

The administration said it worked closely with Democratic governors Jay Inslee of Washington and Gavin Newsom of California in developing the strategies. The recommendations apply to Seattle and King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties and Santa Clara County, California.

Already, Mr. Inslee says he is banning events of more than 250 people, which could mean the Seattle Mariners will play behind closed doors or on the road to start the baseball season.Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors will be playing in an empty arena after the San Francisco area banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people.

The White House said the goal of its recommendations is to protect older persons, people with underlying conditions and health care workers.

The recommendations call for simple precautions, such as hand washing, though others are more extensive, from canceling concerts to conducting triage outside of hospitals, to limit exposure.