In the end, U.S. President Donald Trump was unable to avoid COVID-19. On Oct. 2, Trump confirmed that he had tested positive, breaking the news worldwide. This was only a few hours after he had said that “the end of the pandemic is in sight.” Although, in a video message from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Trump said he “feel[s] much better now,” no one can predict when he will recover. Overweight and well into old age at 74 years old, Trump is in a high-risk group for COVID-19. There are reports that he had to use a respirator the day he was hospitalized. According to his medical team, the next 48 hours are very important.
The U.S. presidential election was thrown into chaos in an instant. Trump has suspended campaigning by his family members, and one after another, key members of his presidential campaign have tested positive for COVID-19. There are even some who say that Trump’s infection has become the major “October Surprise” that could change the course of the election at the last minute. The American media is already thinking of many different scenarios. There have been articles speculating on what would happen if Trump dropped out of the presidential race due to complications after his recovery or, even worse, what would happen if he were to die. However, Trump’s opponent Joe Biden and his team also have nothing to celebrate. If they campaign, it could potentially backfire.
Trump wore a mask after his COVID-19 diagnosis. As he was being transferred to the hospital, Trump gave a weary thumbs-up to the camera in an effort to show off his strength and good health. However, this was a far cry from the confident man who once refused to wear a mask, belittling COVID-19 as little worse than a cough. During the first presidential debate a few days earlier, Trump mocked Biden for wearing a mask, saying, “Every time you see him, he’s got a mask…. he shows up with the biggest mask I’ve ever seen.” On Sept. 26 at the announcement ceremony for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, which resulted in 11 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, Trump was also seen without a mask, talking to attendees up close and shaking hands. It seems that he has paid the price for ignoring mask-wearing and social-distancing rules.
The virus doesn’t care about ethnicity or religion. It doesn’t care about rank or status. Anyone who doesn’t take it seriously can get it without exception. Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis has opened the world’s eyes to this obvious fact. Because Trump’s diagnosis is so unbelievable, it also causes suspicion about whether or not this is fake news. What might the bedridden Trump be planning next? I’m curious what he’ll do.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.