President Trump in Hospital With COVID
The president has Coronavirus, and the country reacts.
By: Mark Angelides | October 5, 2020 | 348 Words
(Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania have both tested positive for COVID-19. The announcement came late on October 1. Since then, the president has been moved to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he continues to run the government and his election campaign. Both the president and Melania seem to be in good health with both tweeting positive messages, and Donald Trump making a series of videos.
A positive test result does not mean that the president will get sick. Around 45% of people who do test positive are asymptomatic, meaning that they have no symptoms at all. Also, many of those who show symptoms are only mildly sick. But the president could still pass the infection on to others, and that’s why he is in quarantine.
Many have asked whether the president can continue in his role while suffering from the Coronavirus. So far, he seems to be carrying out his usual tasks. If his condition deteriorates, Vice President Mike Pence would take on the role of president until Trump is able to resume duties.
Across the country and online, people are expressing support for the president and their hopes that he will make a full recovery.
His election rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, tweeted:
“Jill [Biden’s wife] and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family.”
In New York, a fleet of more than 100 vehicles shut down 5th Avenue outside Trump Tower in a rally wishing the president well. Other rallies are taking place with well-wishers gathering together.
President Trump released a short video thanking the people for their kindness before taking a brief tour outside the hospital building to wave at a crowd.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1312864232711520257
Other world leaders who have contracted COVID-19 include the U.K.’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Bolivia’s President Jeanine Añez, and several others. All have recovered and are back at work.
