The White House says the government could send emergency checks to Americans within 2 weeks as the coronavirus hits economy

AP Photo/Evan VucciTreasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speaks during a press briefing with the coronavirus task force, at the White House, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Washington, as President Donald Trump looks on.

• The government could soon send Americans emergency cash to mitigate the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic.
• COVID-19 has caused severe disruptions for businesses and workers across the nation.
• The checks could be sent out within two weeks, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday.
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The government could soon send Americans emergency cash to mitigate the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused severe disruptions for businesses and workers across the nation.

"We are looking at sending checks to Americans immediately," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said at a Tuesday press conference on the respiratory illness COVID-19. "Americans need to get cash now. And the president wants to get cash now. And I mean now in the next two weeks."

The initial checks could be more than $1,000. Standing alongside Mnuchin, President Donald Trump signaled support for such a policy and said it could be implemented rapidly.

Read more: Why Goldman Sachs analysts think Morgan Stanley's stock will be Wall Street's big winner if a full-blown coronavirus recession strikes

"We are going to do something that gets money to them as quickly as possible," the president said.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

Contact this reporter at gheeb@businessinsider.com.

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