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Medical experts expressed outrage at Trump’s “don’t fear nCoV” message when the epidemic killed more than 215,000 Americans.
Public health experts hoped that President Donald Trump, who was infected with nCoV and many employees in his administration, would act decisively to convince supporters that wearing a mask and keeping the community separate is necessary to protect himself. themselves and their loved ones.
Instead, in an Oct. 5 Twitter post from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where Trump was treated for Covid-19, the president of the United States was once again believed to downplay the threat of the virus. “Don’t be afraid of Covid,” Trump wrote. “Don’t let it rule your life.”
When he arrived at the White House a few hours later, Trump removed his mask and put it in his pocket before joining some of the people who were carrying it inside. The president can still pass the virus to others because many patients can pass the virus up to 10 days after symptoms appear.
In the video filmed later at the White House, Trump went on to say “don’t be afraid of nCoV.” “One thing is for sure, don’t let it dominate you. Don’t be afraid. You will beat it. We have the best medical equipment. We have the best drugs, all of them newly developed,” Trump said.
Scientists, ethicists and doctors were outraged by the president’s comments. “I have nothing more to say, it’s crazy. Totally irresponsible,” said Harald Schmidt, professor of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania.
Trump removed his mask after returning to the White House from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on October 5. Image: AFP.
Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, calls the president’s message “dangerous” because it encourages his followers to ignore basic recommendations to keep them safe. yourself. “That message will lead to more normal behaviors, more virus spread, more cases, and more deaths,” Dr. Schaffner said.
Trump is often seen ignoring the recommendations of public health experts and poking fun at mask wearers. “I don’t wear a mask like him,” Trump said of Democratic presidential candidate Jose Biden in last week’s debate. “Every time you see him, he wears a mask. He could be talking up to 200 feet away, but he still wears the largest mask I’ve ever seen.
Trump left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Oct. 4 to grab a car and greet supporters gathered outside. Infectious disease experts believe that in this confined space, Secret Service agents in the vehicle are at risk of virus infection.
Trump’s post on Twitter could also lead some to believe that Covid-19 is on the verge of a decline, when in reality the epidemic is largely unregulated in the U.S. And cases are increasing, say the experts. During the past week, the US registered an average of 43,586 new infections per day, 6% more than the previous two weeks, while deaths were 720.
Experts note that Covid-19 has “dominated” the lives of millions of Americans, especially people of color and Latinos. Covid-19 mortality among black Americans is twice as high as that of white Americans.
“When you talk to families in those communities, I certainly have a different perspective on whether or not this issue is considered important,” said Dr. Leon McDougle, president of the Medical Association. Said the national faculty.
Experts acknowledge the president’s desire to recover the economy, they also warn that until the country controls the virus, people will remain infected and will try to reopen schools, companies will too. blocked.
“We understand the economic problems, we understand the consequences of the closure, but there must be a coordinated response so that it does not have to dominate our lives,” said Rajesh Gandhi, infectious disease physician at the School of Medicine. Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital, he said.
After four days of treatment at the military medical center, Trump said he felt better “compared to 20 years ago.” In fact, the US President has access to a wide range of treatments that few people have, including antibodies that are in clinical trials and have not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Unlike ordinary folks in the US, where many do not get tested for Covid-19 or receive no hospital care due to overcrowding, the president has a full and dedicated team of specialists at Walter Reed. At the White House, he also has a medical unit on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To the unfortunate patients, the president’s message was viewed as “sad.” Jennifer English, who was still struggling with the long-term effects of Covid-19 after becoming infected in April, and many other Americans were unable to get the medical care they needed.
“His message irritates me. The president can examine himself and he has a team of 14 doctors. Most of us can’t find a doctor to listen to,” said English, 46, a mother of three and a restaurant manager. in Oregon City, Oregon, they said. She calls the president’s message “reckless.”
The Englishman is still in a state of fatigue, nausea, vomiting, poor vision, and drowsiness. “I thought the president’s virus infection would give him some sympathy and insight, but obviously not,” English said. “He’s still putting it down and saying don’t let the epidemic rule your life. In fact, it is dominating my life, dominating the minute.”
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