Washington: The United States President Donald Trump made a dramatic return to the White House on Monday night as he left the military hospital after receiving an unprecedented level of care for COVID-19.
Soon after leaving the hospital, Trump immediately sparked a new controversy by announcing that the nation should not fear the virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans despite his illness. He then entered the White House without a protective mask.
Stepping into the White House on Marine One, the president gingerly climbed the steps of South Portico, removed his mask and announced, “I feel good.” He showed a double thumbs-up to the departing helicopter from the portico terrace. He entered the White House without a face covering.
With just a month to go for the election and anxious to project strength, Trump tweeted while leaving the hospital, “Will be back on the Campaign Trail soon!!!” And in case anyone missed his don’t-worry message earlier, he released a new video from the White House, as reported by the Associated Press.
“Don’t be afraid of it,” Trump said of coronavirus. “You’re going to beat it. We have the best medical equipment, we have the best medicines.”
The President is expected to continue his recovery at the White House.
“We have to be realistic in this: COVID is a complete threat to the American population,” University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Dr David Nace said of Trump’s comment.
“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.
“It’s an unconscionable message,” agreed Dr Sadiya Khan of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “I would go so far as to say that it may precipitate or worsen spread.”
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who spent more than 90 minutes on the debate stage with Trump last week, said during an NBC town hall Monday night that he was glad Trump seemed to be recovering well, “but there’s a lot to be concerned about — 210,000 people have died. I hope no one walks away with the message that it’s not a problem.”
