Trumps message alarmed infectious disease experts and suggested the presidents own illness had not caused him to rethink his often-cavalier attitude toward the disease
Donald Trump takes off his face mask as he arrives at the White House upon his return from Walter Reed Medical Centre, on Monday. Pic/AFP
President Donald Trump staged a dramatic return to the White House after leaving the military hospital where he was receiving an unprecedented level of care for COVID-19. He immediately ignited a new controversy by declaring that despite his illness the nation should not fear the virus that has killed more than 2,10,000 Americans — and then he entered the White House without a protective mask.
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Pandemic survivors are angry at Trump's carelessness. Scott Sedlacek was among the first people to be treated for COVID-19 at Seattle's Swedish Medical Centre. Hearing of Trump's advice by Tweet and video on Monday not to fear the disease enraged him. "I'm so glad that he appears to be doing well, that he has doctors who can give him experimental drugs that aren't available to the masses. For the rest of us, who are trying to protect ourselves, that behaviour is an embarrassment."
Marc Papaj, a Seneca Nation member in New York, lost his mother, grandmother and aunt to COVID-19. He was finding it tough to follow Trump's advise not to let the virus "dominate your life." "The loss of my dearest family members will forever dominate my life in every way for all of my days," Papaj said, adding this about Trump: "He does not care about any of us — he's feeling good."
Trump's message alarmed infectious disease experts and suggested the president's own illness had not caused him to rethink his often-cavalier attitude toward the disease. Landing on Monday night at the White House on Marine One, Trump gingerly climbed the South Portico steps, removed his mask and declared, "I feel good."
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