President Donald Trump tapped Pence to lead the charge against a virus that had struck 60 people in the U.S. at the time of the appointment, reports BBC.

Trump told reporters that the United States is “very, very ready” for the coronavirus and that Pence has the talent needed for the job.

Trump’s opinion of the coronavirus risks in the United States differed a bit from America's top public health officials. Trump says the spread of the virus in the U.S. is not inevitable.

The coronavirus will certainly spread in the United States and the only question is when it will occur, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday, according to CNET.