President Trump has COVID-19
Last Thursday, around 1 AM, various news outlets reported that President Donald Trump had tested positive for the coronavirus. Initially, Mr. Trump’s condition was believed to be fluctuating, as he experienced several alarming drops in his oxygen levels. However, after spending two nights at Walter Reed Hospital, the President was released after receiving an injection of dexamethasone, a steroid used for severe cases, and returned to the White House, his condition apparently improved.
Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean P. Conley—who has faced criticism for past briefings where he downplayed the President’s condition—said in a press conference on Monday that the President has, “enjoyed a restful first night at home,” and that his patient reports “no symptoms.”
“Vital signs and physical exam remain stable,” Dr. Conley added, “with an ambulatory oxygen saturation level of 95 to 97 percent,” via the New York Times.
On Monday, as Mr. Trump still contends with the unpredictable infection, the White House called off negotiations with congressional Democrats for a second COVID stimulus package, until after the election.
Indeed, the President’s test result have momentarily stymied the administration and campaign, particularly in lieu of the fact that many members of Trump’s inner circle have tested positive; First Lady Melania Trump, Kellyanne Conway, Kaylie McEnany, Chris Christie, and Mike Lee, amongst several others in the Trump administration, have all tested positive for a disease that has now claimed the lives of over 211,000 Americans.
The breakout of the virus throughout Washington political circles has also renewed efforts by Democrats to delay the Senate hearings for the President’s Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barret.
D.C. politics aside, the news of Mr. Trump’s positive test has resulted in a variety of reactions, many of which have played out over social media. Amongst countless well wishes from both sides of the political aisle, many felt the President would now reap what he sowed, the biblical phrase coming in reference poor judgement, false rhetoric, and careless behavior in response to the deadly diseases’ rapid spread.
Keerah McCratic 22’ felt, “shocked,” after hearing the news. The initial feeling—in reaction to the greatest health threat to a sitting president in decades—wore off, and Ms. McCratic became, “angry,” when, “more and more people that work closely with him tested positive for the virus.”
With a second presidential debate approaching, there has been a variety of speculation over whether or not the event will occur as planned, on Thursday, Oct. 15 in Miami. On Tuesday, Mr. Trump tweeted, “I’m looking forward to the debate,” asserting his campaign’s assumption that former Vice President Biden will attend.
Mr. Biden—who tested negative for the virus after debating Trump—has been justifiably more hesitant.
“If the scientists say it’s safe and distances are safe, then I think that’s fine,” he told reporters on Monday. “I’ll do whatever the experts say is the appropriate thing to do.”
As the election looms, the President’s diagnosis and apparent improvement has had, to this point, only a minimal effect on the polls. According to FiveThirtyEight, as of Oct. 6 Mr. Biden has a nine point lead over the President.