President Trump talks re-opening during Phoenix visit

"We can't keep the country closed for five-years."

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - President Donald Trump said he's pushing forward with plans to re-open the American economy during a visit to Phoenix on Tuesday.

President Trump arrived at Sky Harbor shortly before noon. Several hundred supporters packed the gates outside the airport to greet Air Force One. Reports indicate few wore masks, and virtually none practiced social distancing.

Gov. Doug Ducey greeted the President and Republican members of Congress, and the delegation immediately headed to the nearby Honeywell plant. The aerospace defense contractor has re-purposed its facility to produce N-95 respirator masks for the federal government.

During his tour of the facility, the President spoke to the workers making masks, but declined to wear one himself. The White House said Honeywell told him, and members of his delegation, they didn't need to wear masks inside the plant. Anyone allowed near the President is given a rapid test for the coronavirus.

President Trump took questions from the press after the tour, telling reporters he's highly in favor of re-opening the country for business.

"We can't keep are country closed for the next five years. You could say there might be a recurrence and there might be. Most doctors are some doctors say that it will happen. It will be a flame and we are going to put the flame out." said Trump.

The President also admitted, consequences do come with re-opening the economy to soon.

"I'm not saying anything is perfect, but yes, will some people be affected? Yes. Will some people be affected badly? Yes. But we have to get our country opened and we have to get it open soon."

The President's visit comes on the same day Arizona witnessed its largest spike in coronavirus deaths since the pandemic began.

Trump also participated in a roundtable discussion on the pervasive problem of violence within Native American communities. The President signed a proclamation calling attention to the issue.