Mnuchin: U.S. won't 'shut down the economy again' even if coronavirus cases surge

Trump's treasury secretary Stephen Mnuchin today said the United States should not, as he puts it, shut down the economy again -- even if there is another surge in coronavirus cases.

We cant shut down the economy again, Mnuchin said on CNBC.

"We can't shut down the economy again. I think we've learned that if you shut down the economy, you're gonna create more damage."

Nevermind the mass deaths, he's got a boss to please.

NEWS: Mnuchin on preparations for a second Covid wave: "We can't shutdown the economy again"

"You create more damage, not just economic damage, there are other areas -- medical problems that get put on hold. The president made the right decision, I think we learned a lot" https://t.co/IuiVj3XH93

— Saleha Mohsin (@SalehaMohsin) June 11, 2020

We cant shut down the economy again. Treasury Sec. Mnuchin says shutting down the economy would create more damage. https://t.co/ygjFTeBAAY pic.twitter.com/lBNKV8HuFx

— CNBC (@CNBC) June 11, 2020

[lack of adequate testing capacity was] the reason why *the President* needed to close down parts of the economy. ~Sec. Mnuchin https://t.co/x5CW6GGIVj

— Stephanie Kelton (@StephanieKelton) June 11, 2020

Second time I've heard Mnuchin make this comment. "What makes no sense to me is you can eat outside but you can't eat inside. I don't see why we can't have proper social distancing inside in restaurants. Obviously, if it rains outside you can't eat outside."

— Zachary Warmbrodt (@Zachary) June 11, 2020

IMAGE: Treasury Department Read the rest