Update: The New York Times appears to have corrected language in the story, changing "administered" to "ready." No editor's note was included offering an explanation, however.
The Trump administration said on Monday that nearly a million tests for the coronavirus could be ready by the end of this week, as the government prepares to escalate screening as the American death toll reached six and U.S. infections topped 100.
Original Story:
Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, Katie Miller, blasted The New York Times on Tuesday for a “dangerously wrong” article on coronavirus.
“The press has the same responsibility to the American people as public officials. This article from the @nytimes is DANGEROUSLY wrong,” she said along with a screen shot of the story, titled, “Close to a Million in U.S. Could Be Tested for Coronavirus This Week.”
“Testing CAPACITY is far different than tests COMPLETE,” she added.
The press has the same responsibility to the American people as public officials.
— Katie Miller (@VPPressSec) March 3, 2020
This article from the @nytimes is DANGEROUSLY wrong.
Testing CAPACITY is far different than tests COMPLETE. pic.twitter.com/ofbTqiTuwz
The first paragraph of the article said nearly a million tests for the coronavirus “could be administered” in the U.S. by the week’s end.
Recommended
The Trump administration said on Monday that nearly a million tests could be administered for the coronavirus in the United States by the end of this week, a significant escalation of screening as the American death toll reached six and U.S. infections topped 100. (NYT)
Miller clarified what FDA commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn actually stated: “The estimates that we’re getting from industry right now, by the end of the week close to 1 million test WILL BE ABLE TO BE performed.”
What @SteveFDA ACTUALLY said was:
— Katie Miller (@VPPressSec) March 3, 2020
“The estimates that we’re getting from industry right now, by the end of the week close to 1 million test WILL BE ABLE TO BE performed.”
She said a correction has been requested and asked all reporters to check their facts before hitting publish. “It’s too important,” she urged.
What @SteveFDA ACTUALLY said was:
— Katie Miller (@VPPressSec) March 3, 2020
“The estimates that we’re getting from industry right now, by the end of the week close to 1 million test WILL BE ABLE TO BE performed.”
The article comes as Democrats have been busy politicizing COVID-19 and lying about President Trump calling it a "hoax."
Supercut: Dems Politicize Coronavirus Response in Bid to Hurt Trump https://t.co/PLYd6ORx5A
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) March 2, 2020
Add it to the list.
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) March 2, 2020
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer perpetuated the lie that President Trump called Coronavirus a hoax during his press conference yesterday.
Remind me again who is trying to score political points with Coronavirus?
That's right... Democrats. pic.twitter.com/bOAfCILZPS
If you are pushing the narrative that Trump called coronavirus a “hoax,” you’re lying.
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) February 29, 2020
It’s pretty obvious what he’s saying here. pic.twitter.com/RlSoJ8ZSb8
Join the conversation as a VIP Member