If you check the article, there is now an update where a spokesman for the white house denies there was ever any contact or recommendation from the coronavirus task force.
No, that's not what the White House statement says.
> After this article was published, a spokesperson for Pence, Katie Miller, said in a statement that "The White House Coronavirus Task Force was never informed of this contract and was not involved in it at all."
Contract, not contact. They deny knowing about or being part of the contract. Nowhere do they deny recommending the vendor.
