Washington (CNN) The Pentagon's senior leadership broadcast a different message than President Donald Trump on Tuesday, with military leaders warning the coronavirus crisis could last well into the summer as the President seeks to open the economy back up.

The severity of the challenge was underlined with the news that three US sailors tested positive for the virus while at sea.

"You're looking at somewhere around 90 days based on some of the other countries. That may or may not apply to the United States," said Gen. Mark Milley the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, when asked how long the crisis could last during an online town hall. Milley and Defense Secretary Mark Esper took questions from service members during the town hall.

"If it does apply, you're looking at probably late May, June, something in that range. Maybe could be as late as July."

Milley was clear that "no one actually knows" when the crisis would be over, but that they were looking at "a variety of models."

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