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In addition to the president’s meeting with pharmaceutical companies, he is set to have lunch with Vice President Pence, whom he tasked last week with leading the administration’s response to the spreading virus.

In addition to coordinating the all-of-government approach to responding to the virus crisis, Pence is set to meet with airline and cruise ship CEOs later in the week.

He also will brief reporters Monday evening, alongside the newly-appointed White House coronavirus response coordinator, Dr. Deborah L. Birx, who is expected to regularly brief reporters on the administration’s efforts in the weeks ahead.

While there have been growing concerns in recent days about the risks posed by large gatherings in hastening the potential spread of the virus, President Trump was asked Monday whether he thinks it’s safe to be holding major campaign rallies, like the one he has scheduled for Monday night in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“I think it's very safe. I think it's very safe,” Trump said.

“These were set up a long time ago,” he said of his own rallies and pointed out that Democrats are doing the same. “They’re all having rallies.\"

Even as the White House seeks to demonstrate a proactive all-of-government approach to tackling the virus, the president has simultaneously sought to downplay the virus, advising people through Twitter to “Be calm & vigilant!” and has sought to deflect any criticism of his administration’s response as a “hoax.”

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