President Donald Trump is willing to put his son where his administration's policies are: Back in school in full this fall.
"I am comfortable with that," Trump told reporters at Wednesday's coronavirus task force briefing, when asked if he would be willing to send his son Barron back to school amid the rise in coronavirus cases. "We do have a national strategy, but as you know ultimately, it's up to the governors of the states.
"I think most governors, many governors want the schools to open. I would like to see the schools open, especially when you see statistics like this where we have great statistics on young people and on safety. We would like to see schools open. Want to see the economy open."
Also, Trump hailed his administration's deal to pay nearly $2 billion to buy enough of a COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Pfizer Inc and German biotech BioNTech SE to innoculate 50 million people if it proves to be safe and effective, the companies said Wednesday.
The contract for 100 million doses of the vaccine amounts to a $39 price tag for what is likely to be a two-dose course of treatment.
The contract is the most the United States has agreed to spend on a vaccine, although previous deals with other vaccine makers were intended to also help pay for development costs.
Pfizer and BioNTech will not receive any money from the government unless their vaccine succeeds in large clinical trials and can be successfully manufactured, according to a Pfizer spokeswoman.
Under the agreement, the government would also have an option to procure an additional 500 million doses. Pfizer said the price for the additional doses would be negotiated separately if the U.S. orders them.
The vaccine, if successful, will be made available to Americans at no cost, although their health insurance may be charged, the U.S. department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said.
Information from Reuters was used in this report.
Eric Mack ✉
Eric Mack has been a writer and editor at Newsmax since 2016. He is a 1998 Syracuse University journalism graduate and a New York Press Association award-winning writer.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.