On Friday, October 2nd, at 1:00am, the President announced through Twitter that he and Melania tested positive for COVID-19. Since then, Trump has been to Walter Reed and back, taken a joy ride for fun, put Secret Service and White House Staffers in danger, and taken his mask off for a photo-op. It’s no surprise that Donald Trump, who has campaigned on not wearing a mask or taking COVID seriously, still claims that COVID is “far less lethal” than the flu, which is a blatant lie (Trump via Twitter). On the same day that Trump left Walter Reed, he tweeted to his millions of followers, “Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life” (Trump via Twitter). Unlike most Americans, Trump, who is likely still taking strong steroids, such as dexamethasone, receives outstanding medical care. By encouraging people to not fear COVID, Trump is both endangering the public and insulting those whose family members or friends have died of COVID.
Trump now claims he is immune to COVID, despite his Doctor, Sean Conley, refusing to disclose when his last negative test was to the public until Monday, when Conley claimed that Trump tested negative. Conley also recently stated that “now at day 10 from symptom onset, fever-free for well over 24 hours and all symptoms improved, the assortment of advanced diagnostic tests obtained reveal there is no longer evidence of actively replicating virus,” (Lozano quoting Conley). With valid reasons, I’m hesitant to fully believe this statement. Additionally, we still don’t know if Trump had tested positive before going to Bedminster, or even before the debate with Joe Biden. We’ll likely never know. But, even if Trump is no longer infectious, devaluing the importance of COVID is a justifiably dangerous example to set for the public.Trump has released several videos discussing his time with COVID, as if he is completely cured, which is very unlikely due to scientific research about the lasting effects of the virus. In one video, he states that he “didn’t have to” go to Walter Reed, but was encouraged to just in case. That directly contradicted what White House Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows said last Saturday: “the president’s vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care. We’re still not on a clear path to a full recovery” (Gringlas and Sprunt quoting Meadows). But, we all know Trump’s goal: to downplay the virus for his own reelection. It’s so simple. On Monday, Mark Meadows, who is close to President Trump daily, refused to answer questions from reporters unless he did so without wearing a mask. Similarly, the President did not wear a mask while leaving for his Florida rally Monday night, once again putting Secret Service’s lives at stake, as Trump’s negative test could have been one of many false tests experienced throughout the country. Why else would the Trump Campaign risk infecting others except for an obsession with displaying COVID as defeated, over, and gone?
Not only did Donald Trump catch the virus, but many other government officials tested positive in the days following Trump’s announcement. Along with Melania Trump, others included Kayleigh McEnany, Kellyanne Conway, Chris Christie, Bill Stepien, and more. Whether it was the Supreme Court nomination event at the Rose Garden, the Debate preparation session, or the mere refusal to wear masks, COVID spread quickly through the US Government.
I hope that this serves as a lesson to at least one COVID skeptic. It doesn’t matter who you are. Luck doesn’t protect you from catching COVID, wearing a mask does. Being constantly aware of your health does. Limiting who you hang around with does. If you are truly unafraid of this virus, I ask you to consider your parents, grandparents, teachers, and anybody who has underlying conditions. Tomorrow in school, look around you. Everyone in your classroom has somebody that they fear for everyday. If you don’t proudly wear a mask for yourself, wear it for the student next to you.
Gringlas, Sam, and Barbara Sprunt. “Timeline: What We Know Of President Trump’s COVID-19 Diagnosis, Treatment.” NPR, NPR, 5 Oct. 2020, www.npr.org/sections/latest-updates-trump-covid-19-results/2020/10/03/919898777/timeline-what-we-know-of-president-trumps-covid-19-diagnosis.
Lozano, Alicia Victoria. “Trump Physician Says the President Is No Longer Considered a Transmission Risk to Others.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 11 Oct. 2020, www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-physician-says-president-no-longer-considered-transmission-risk-others-n1242837.