President Donald J. Trump, joined by Vice President Mike Pence and members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, listens to a reporter’s question at the coronavirus (COVID-19) update briefing Thursday, March 26, 2020, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)

It looks like our way out of the social distancing morass just got a little longer.

President Donald Trump had said he would be reevaluating the social distancing guidelines he’d set out earlier in the month at the end of the month and it looks like he’s doing that slightly early, today.

He had been hopeful of us being up and out by Easter but apparently the experts are counseling extending the social distancing through the entire month of April to help defeat the virus.

Trump: “Therefore, we will be extending our guidelines to April 30th to slow the spread.” pic.twitter.com/Tm56agDCMZ

— The Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) March 29, 2020

From Daily Wire:

“I want the American people to know that your selfless inspiring and valiant efforts are saving countless lives,” Trump said. “You are making the difference. The modeling estimates that the peak in death rate is likely to hit in two weeks, so I will say it again, the peak, highest point of death rates, remember this, is likely to hit in two weeks.”

“Nothing would be worse than declaring victory before the victory is won,” Trump continued. “That would be the greatest loss of all. Therefore, the next two weeks and during this period, it’s very important that everyone strongly follow the guidelines, have to follow the guidelines that our great vice president holds up a lot. He’s holding that up a lot. He believes it in so strongly.”

“The better you do, the faster this whole nightmare will end,” Trump continued. “Therefore, we will be extending our guidelines to April 30th, to slow the spread.

The President said that on Tuesday, they’d have another briefing where they’d lay out all the data as to why they had come to the conclusions they’d reached.

Trump said he said we could expect to be “well on our way to recovery” by June 1st.

Trump encouraged everyone to “take heart and confidence in the fact that we have the best medical minds” who are working night and day to protect everyone and overcome the pandemic. “With the grace of god, we’re rising to the occasion. We are proving that no darkness can overshadow the eternal light with American courage. We will win, and when we do, we will rebound with astonishing force and speed.”

Trump also reported that 80 tons of PPEs had been sent to New York.

President @realDonaldTrump: “80 tons of personal protective equipment” arrived in NY this morning pic.twitter.com/tej0qqzk9b

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) March 29, 2020

More about the new test that was developed:

President @realDonaldTrump: New coronavirus test expedited by FDA is “a whole new ball game” pic.twitter.com/NQymthDqMA

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) March 29, 2020

President @realDonaldTrump: our “shared sacrifices are pulling our nation together like never before” pic.twitter.com/H9vptBc7oL

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) March 29, 2020