“Ultimately, I have to make a decision, but I certainly listen to them,” President Donald Trump said in a press briefing on Monday evening. Trump believed that while he trusts and follows the advice of health experts, he still has to make decisions about the economy and the country’s future. He cited that while people might not die from the virus, terrible economies might.

During the briefing, Trump was asked whether he would follow the advice of Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Denorah Birx about following the national guidelines for Americans to mitigate and contain the virus. The president responded: “If it were up to the doctors, they may say, ‘Let’s keep it shut down, let’s shut down the entire world…and let’s keep it shut for a couple of years,’” he said. “We can’t do that,” Trump added.

Trump also said that he and Fauci do not have an agreement yet on when would be the best time to open the economy. The president continued to say that the doctor’s opinions and suggestions were only there as guides and that it would still be up to him to make that decision in the future.

Moreover, Trump cited that the country might see more deaths if the administration cannot immediately save and stabilize the economy. “Definitely would be in far greater numbers than the numbers we’re talking about with regard to the virus,” the president said. He claimed that financial insecurity might bring in “tremendous anxiety” and even mental health issues for Americans, and cause more deaths linked to suicide. The president assured the public that he believes America can bounce back from the pandemic, and ultimately save the economy. He promised that he would be able to provide a date on when the country could reopen, saying that the shutdown can only last for weeks and not for months.

The president also boasted the administration’s efforts to continually update guidelines and identify which states need more health and assistance from the federal government.

Even Pope Francis had also expressed his worry over the economic ramifications that might result from the pandemic. That same day, the religious leader offered prayers for those who have been economically affected by the virus, especially those who have lost their work or unable to earn a living.

The Pope’s prayer was not just meant for Italians who continue to see rising death tolls, but as well as families throughout the globe.

On the other hand, Texas Senator Ted Cruz blamed the Democratic party for getting in the way of providing immediate economic help for Americans and businesses. The senator accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of ruining negotiations over the $2 trillion fund.

Cruz claimed that on Sunday, both the Democrats and Republicans were holding talks about providing immediate economic relief. However, the senator claimed that things drastically changed when Pelosi came in, and the opposition decided not to give way despite the number of Americans who were dying from the virus. Cruz went on to describe the bipartisanship as “shameful.”