Trump Now a Part of the Eight Million COVID-19 Cases in the U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19 on October 2, 2020, just three days after the first presidential debate. He announced his and his wife’s positive test results via Twitter.

There were numerous people surrounding Trump that were diagnosed with COVID-19, including senior aides, and Republican senators as well as the President of Notre Dame University who was in contact with White House officials that were diagnosed with COVID-19 during Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination of potential Supreme Court nominees. Once the President was tested, he was taken to Walter Reed General Hospital near Washington D.C. to get treatment for the virus.

Three days after being admitted into Walter Reed, Trump left the hospital to go back to the White House. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, said he had spoken to the president while he was in the hospital and claimed that his condition had improved overnight. The president decided to wave past supporters near the hospital, inside an SUV. Many have claimed that the president put Secret Service agents in danger by being in a sealed environment while only wearing a mask. The secret service agents were wearing protective gear in the front seat of the car, but Dr. James Phillips who is a medical professional at Walter Reed has doubts about the situation. He claimed, “That Presidential SUV is not only bulletproof but hermetically sealed against chemical attack. The risk of Covid-19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures.”

During an interview with BBC, Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohan, said that after catching COVID-19, Trump’s view on the pandemic will remain the same, “[…]which is (a view) predicated on ignorance and arrogance.” Cohan remarked on the severity of the pandemic and added “ [Trump] doesn’t seem to want to accept or understand the fact that 210,000 people have now died as a result of this.” 

Trump has made various statements to the media; one in which he claims to ‘understand’ now that he has the first-hand experience. He also wrote on Twitter, “Don’t be afraid of COVID. Don’t let it dominate your life.” Freshman Max D. said that “Trump tells people through social media to not worry about the virus, yet 200,000 people have died in the U.S. alone. His statement on Twitter clearly shows that he in fact does not understand the virus,” Mr. Gomes a teacher at AISG said that Trump’s lack of worry about the virus is very concerning, and states that “He should be a little afraid of any virus.” He reinforced his argument by saying that even people are afraid of common illnesses such as the flu.

Trump received a lot of criticism claiming that he deserved getting COVID-19. As sophomore Sydney T. recalls, “The man disregarded the health and safety protocols and made fun of the people that did follow them.” For instance, during the first Presidential Debate, Trump mocked his political opponent, Biden, for wearing his mask often, and for not having campaign rallies as crowded as his.

The world has its eyes on the U.S. president and the elections this year. Trump has resumed his campaigns once again and the second presidential wasn’t postponed and took place on October 23, 2020.