Fighting the 'invisible enemy': A short list of executive actions to combat coronavirus

From restricting entry into the U.S. from places where coronavirus is rampant and empowering states to expand and expedite COVID-19 testing, to facilitating emergency use of respirators and extending National Guard support and funding to hard-hit states, President Trump and his coronavirus task force have taken an array of bold, emergency steps to fight the “invisible enemy” wreaking havoc on American health, safety, and economic security.

Here follows a concise list of key executive actions taken over the last two months to contain the spread, share the costs, and alleviate the impact of COVID-19:

March 23, 2020 — Executive order to prevent hoarding and price gouging.

March 22 — Memorandum providing federal support and funding for state governors to use the National Guard to fight COVID-19

March 18 — Executive Order on prioritizing, allocating medical resources to contain COVID-19 spread

March14 — Proclamation of a National Day of Prayer for Americans affected by coronavirus

March 14 — Trump suspends entry into U.S. of aliens posing a risk of spreading COVID-19 (United Kingdom)

March 13 — Memorandum expanding, expediting state-approved COVID-19 testing

March 13 — President declares COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency 

March11 — Trump suspends entry into U.S. of aliens posing risk of transmitting coronavirus (Europe-Schengen Area)

March 11, 2020 — President orders HHS to facilitate emergency use of respirators

Feb. 29 — President suspends entry into U.S. of aliens posing risk of transmitting coronavirus (Iran)

Jan. 31 — President suspends entry into U.S. of aliens posing risk of transmitting coronavirus (China)