While President Donald Trump fails to enact a cohesive plan for citizens amidst the coronavirus pandemic, calling reporters who dare ask him questions about his plans “nasty,” French President Emmanuel Macron has suspended rent payments and utility bills amid the crisis. 

In a speech delivered on March 16, Macron declared in a national address that, “We are at war,” reports the  Financial Times. 

"We are at war, certainly a health war," said Macron. "We are not fighting against an army or against another nation. But the enemy is there, invisible, elusive, advancing. And this requires our general mobilization."

Within the address, Macron insisted residents stay at home for 15 days to slow the spread of the virus. He also announced the borders to the EU would close for 30 days. Prior to this, France had announced the closure of bars and restaurants, a measure many U.S. cities have taken amid the international health crisis. 

The quarantine measures will be reinforced by 100,000 police and punishable by a fine. People will only be able to leave the house for work, buying food, healthcare needs or urgent family care scenarios. Even then, people would have to go out with a downloadable certificate that states the reason why they are leaving the house.

Perhaps the most progressive and radical for U.S. citizens was Macron’s order that rent, gas, water and electricity bills be suspended while France addresses the epidemic, reports Euronews. 

Trump has yet to specify how citizens will be accommodated in this time of emergency. He did, however, manage to voice his commitment to industries while drawing backlash on Twitter by calling the coronavirus the “Chinese Virus.”

“The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before!” he wrote. 

Trump and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo got into a tiff in which Cuomo reminded Trump that he was, in fact, the president and that the country is expecting action. 

"Just had a very good tele-conference with Nation's Governors. Went very well. Cuomo of New York has to 'do more,'" the president wrote in a now-deleted tweet. 

"I have to do more? No — YOU have to do something! You’re supposed to be the President," Cuomo retorted. 

On Monday, the White House released a short list of guidelines for Americans to follow during the pandemic, which includes staying at home if you're sick. 

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