Watch live: Coronavirus Task Force gives updates on COVID-19 response

President Trump and members of the Coronavirus Task Force, charged with leading the U.S. response to the coronavirus pandemic, are holding a briefing at the White House Wednesday night, as the coronavirus claims more lives in the U.S.

The White House and Senate leaders of both parties have agreed on a sweeping $2 trillion financial relief package to help American workers, businesses and the severely strained health care system survive the virus outbreak. But a handful of senators are voicing opposition to portions of the bill, and the timing of a vote is unclear, even though Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the chamber would pass the bill on Wednesday.

Also unclear is when the direct checks to Americans would actually reach American’s wallets — A senate Democratic aide confirmed to CBS News that Americans could wait as long as four months for relief if they don’t have their direct deposit information on file with the IRS. The IRS can only mail roughly 20 million checks per month. 

How to watch the Coronavirus Task Force briefing today

President Trump has said he wants to ease restrictions on businesses aimed at slowing the spread of the virus, to get the U.S. “opened up” again by Easter. But the president’s impatience with the widespread closures is up against an outbreak that’s still growing fast. The World Health Organization warned Tuesday that the U.S. could become the new epicenter in the COVID-19 pandemic.