Written by Jack Miller
On Friday morning via Twitter, Donald Trump announced that he had contacted Covid-19 saying: “Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!” This announcement comes following Trump’s most recent appearance at the presidential debate last Tuesday, the 28th of September, where he squared off against Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
The president’s medical team moved him the following afternoon to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland for monitoring. His team confirms that on Friday the president had a high fever and his oxygen levels had dropped that same night. The president was quickly placed on oxygen support and his levels have been secure throughout the weekend. On Friday the president received an experimental antibody “cocktail” that is currently being tested by the drug’s manufacturer.
Following the President’s announcement, other White House officials have also tested positive for the disease. These individuals include: Trump’s advisor Hope Hicks, Senator Mike Lee, Governor Chris Christie, and the University of Notre Dame president. These infections came following an announcement that took place in the White House Rose Garden for the nomination of Trump’s Supreme Court pick – Amy Coney Barrett. This event is suspected to be the initial start of the spread. News teams who were in attendance noted that many guests were not wearing masks or following social distance guidelines.
The President has urged supporters through videos posted on his Twitter account that they should remain in good spirits. Trump plans to continue his campaign from the hospital and Vice President Mike Pence who tested negative for the virus will continue to travel and promote the Trump campaign in the meantime.
Trump is not the first world leader to test positive for COVID-19. Prime Minister of Britain, Boris Johnson as well as Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro. Both of these individuals were quickly hospitalized following their positive tests and have recovered from the disease and are currently maintaining relatively-well health.
Among all this commotion it is important to remember that COVID-19 is still very much affecting our reality today. So here’s your ten thousandth reminder to wash your hands, wear a mask in public spaces, practice social distancing precautions, and follow the guidelines of health officials as well as Roanoke College.
