President Trump and first lady positive for COVID-19

President Trump tweeted early Friday morning that he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the Coronavirus.

Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020

This comes just days after the first presidential debate where Trump was questioned about the lack of masks at his campaign rallies.

On Thursday Hope Hicks, counselor to President Trump, tested positive for COVID-19. President Trump traveled with Hicks several times throughout this week, including to Cleveland, the site of the debate.

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will have to quarantine, per CDC guidelines, for a minimum of 14 days. With the next Presidential Debate scheduled for Oct. 15, it is unclear what will happen.

First Lady Melania also tweeted about testing positive for the virus.

As too many Americans have done this year, @potus & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19. We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together.

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) October 2, 2020

President Trump has consistently downplayed the severity of the virus since its rise to prominence back in February. However, he has rectified some of his views since then, even claiming he up-played the severity.

“I didn’t downplay it. I actually, in many ways, I up-played it, in terms of action,” Trump said. “My action was very strong.”

The CDC has stated on numerous occasions the elderly are most at risk to the virus. At 74 years old, President Trump poses a high risk of long-term injury or possible fatality from this virus.

The answer remains unclear for his diagnosis will affect the election. So far, Trumps’s campaign has rearranged his schedule.

Earlier in May when the virus was beginning to show substantial signs of spread in the White House, Trump told reporters that he was not worried.

“I think it’s very well contained, actually,” Trump said.

Vice President Mike Pence and the second lady Karen Pence have tested negative for the Coronavirus. After sharing the debate stage on Tuesday, former Vice Presiden Joe Biden has tested negative for the virus. Biden tweeted that he is sending prayers to the president and his family.

Jill 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.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 2, 2020

Friday afternoon Trump was flown to Walter Reed Hospital as a precautionary measure and to administer tests. It is unclear exactly how long he will remain at the hospital but at least a few days.

As election season approaches, there are few answers to how President Trump will handle his own diagnosis as well as the continuing pandemic. What about the debates? And will Trump look at the virus differently when this is all over?

Edited by Donna Mitchell and Christian Knox

Featured Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons