Up Date 5:20 PM ET: NBC News is reporting that Trump will be transferred by Marine One to Walter Reed Medical Center for more advanced treatment of his CoVid-19 infection.
Late last night Donald Trump tweeted that he and his wife tested positive for Covid-19 and that he would quarantine at the White House. His Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who himself has been exposed to Trump, announced that Trump and Melania had “mild, cold-like symptoms” this morning which is fairly typical. His campaign has been more or less suspended with any events involving Trump or his family will be postponed or held in a virtual setting.
Vice President Mike Pence, who has so far tested negative, is continuing with his campaign schedule. He apparently has not had any close contact with Trump or the First Lady.
It was first learned that his close advisor Hope Hicks may have had the virus and was exhibiting symptoms as early as Tuesday evening at the debate. She was in the audience, unmasked, as was the rest of the Trump family and staff. She returned to Washington that night aboard Air Force One but self-isolated. Trump knew she was ill but, on Wednesday, he went to an indoor fund raiser at his Bedminster, NJ golf club. It is reported that he was showing signs of the virus. No one was wearing a mask.
Former Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, have both tested negative and are on their way to Michigan for an event. There is some concern that Biden was exposed during Tuesday’s debate with Trump, unmasked, sputtering and shouting several feet away for 90 minutes. One negative test should not be reassuring. According to the CDC, COVID-19’s incubation period is 14 days with an average of four to five days from infection to the onset of symptoms. The lecterns at the debate were 12 feet and eight inches apart. Biden would only have to self-isolate if he had been within six feet of Trump.
The Biden’s learned about Trump’s illness the same way the rest of the world did, from Trump’s twitter feed.
The bottom line here is WEAR A MASK in public. It not only protects you, it protects those around you. If you feel unwell or have symptoms of a cold, self-isolate and get tested.
Obviously, this is a developing story and other than Trump’s tweet, we have not had an official statement or press conference. This was inevitable and only a matter of time.
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