Trump eyes a back-to-work plan despite coronavirus

"We have to get this going," Trump said during a dinnertime briefing that lasted nearly two hours.

• "[T]he faster we get it going, the more likely it is that those stores, little businesses, big businesses, medium-sized businesses open up."
• "And we'll get [the economy] going very fast. ... As soon as we say 'let's go' — and it's gonna be pretty soon. ... It's gonna be sooner than people would think."

What's next: Nothing has been decided yet. But Trump has been persuaded, in line with his instincts, that the economy can’t sustain this shutdown for much longer.

• The administration is discussing different tiers to ease Americans back into normal life after the 15-day period that ends next Monday.
• People with underlying health issues or in the highest risk age range will likely be asked to stick with isolation.
• But others could be encouraged to get back into a more normal routine.

Between the lines: Remember that Trump has no public health professionals in his circle of informal advisers. Those are not his go-to calls when he's in the residence late at night. They’re all business or media folks.

• The president wants an end date to give businesses, markets and consumers — hence his fixation on the 15-day deadline.

Reality check, via Axios health care reporter Caitlin Owens: For now, the only way to avoid large numbers of deaths is to keep people away from each other to stop the virus' spread.

• And as long as the coronavirus is spreading, it’s likely to hurt the economy.