US President Donald Trump made a theatrical return to the White House after three days of intensive COVID-19 treatment at military hospital on Monday.
As his treatment continues in the White House, his doctor Navy Commander Sean Conley stated that “he may not entirely be out of the woods yet”.
Even after himself, Melania Trump and several of his staff falling sick to Covid-19, Trump said, “Don’t be afraid of the virus. Don’t let it dominate your life”.
Pumping his fist, the President walked out of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and reached the White House after a short helicopter ride.
Even though still contagious, he removed his mask on the Truman balcony of the White House, declared that “I feel good” and posed for pictures with a thumbs-up.
He later tweeted, “If the President bounces back onto the campaign trail, he will be an invincible hero, who not only survived every dirty trick the Democrats threw at him, but the Chinese virus as well.”
He also recorded a video message from White House, urging Americans to not let Covid-19 interfere in their lives.
President’s tone-deaf comments on the virus that has affected over 7.4 million and killed almost 210,000 Americans drew outrage from doctors, scientists as well as from general public.
“I am struggling for words — this is crazy,” said Harald Schmidt, an assistant professor of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania. “It is just utterly irresponsible.”
“Most of the people aren’t so lucky as the president, with an in-house medical unit and access to experimental treatments,” added Nace, an expert on infections in older adults.
Trump’s nonchalant demeanor towards the deadly pandemic is not something new. For the past eight months, he has consistently played down the threat of virus in his statements.
At last week’s election debate in Cleveland, he ridiculed his rival presidential candidate, Joseph R. Biden Jr. for wearing a mask. “Every time you see him, he’s got a mask. He could be speaking 200 feet away from them, and he shows up with the biggest mask I’ve ever seen.”, Trump said.
Assessing from the President’s statements, it seems highly unlikely that he would quarantine himself to protect other officials in White House from the virus.
With Presidential Elections only less than a month apart, he also seems geared up to resume his campaign activities. “Will be back on the campaign trail soon!!!” Trump tweeted.
Weather Trump’s current condition deems him fit to continue with his future plans is still a lingering question as Conley refuses to disclose medical scans of his lungs. Thus, leaving the nation clueless about where Trump actually stands in the course of his illness.
