CAMP MURRAY, Wash. (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence, during his visit to Washington state yesterday, pledged the full support of the Trump administration as the coronavirus death toll here continues to mount, with at least 70 confirmed infections and 14 dead.
When Pence landed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, he skipped the traditional handshake, electing instead to “elbow bump” Governor Inslee, a trending greeting since the virus scare.
Pence toured the state’s emergency response center and told workers, “We know you’re the front line.”
Earlier, Pence called on members of the public to hold off on buying face masks unless they’re sick, saying health professionals need the masks more. And he said the U.S. has made “real progress” in addressing a shortage of coronavirus test kits. Pence said that millions of coronavirus testing kits will be rolled out next week, roughly 5.2 million kits.
Meanwhile…the Insurance Commissioner of Washington state Mike Kreidler issued an emergency order to state health insurers Thursday. The order requires health insurers to waive co-pays and deductibles for anyone requiring testing or treatment for COVID-19.
The person must meet the criteria for testing set out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and their healthcare provider.
The emergency order is in effect until May 4, and might be put in place for longer depending on the evolving situation.
The emergency order did not say anything about people who do not have health insurance.
(AP photo)