People across the world are scratching their heads to know the possible cause behind US President Donald Trump getting infected with Covid-19. Although for some, Trump being infected has become a matter of mockery.
For the curious readers, we dived deep into the details and traced a few contacts of President Trump. Notably, a few of his contacts have already been reported positive for the contagious infection. But, the pertinent questions which arise here are:
Who infected Trump?
Although, during the initial days of the Covid-19 outbreak, Trump used to shun face masks despite being in a hundred and thousands of people.
US Presidential Elections are approaching and Trump had been occupied in winning the hearts of Americans. From regular meetings and news conferences at the White, Trump attended many massive gatherings in the past week. He traveled for numerous campaign rallies, national golf club, the presidential debate, fundraisers. Also, he attended the nomination ceremony for Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in which other eminent personalities including the first lady Melania Trump took part. However, during the meeting, some were spotted wearing a mask and keeping a social distance. So, it becomes hard to doubt anybody.
Which closest contact of Trump got infected?
Hope Hicks, White House counselor and Trump's closest advisers, has fallen prey to coronavirus. Reportedly, she accompanied the President to Minnesota for a fundraiser campaign. However, the officials on Wednesday declared that Hicks is infected with Covid. Thus, it remains vague to say who has infected whom.
Has Trump infected others?
Reiterating that Hope Hicks was infected, Trump continued to carry out his campaigns and other events, being totally unaware that he might be infecting others. According to the White House officials, Hicks' test results were revealed on Thursday, after Trump boarded the Marine One helicopter for a private fundraiser campaign in New Jersey. He, however, decided to leap onto the trip and the event. On the same day, Trump got himself tested.
It was on Friday, President Trump tweeted to inform that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested Covid positive.
What symptoms did he show?
So far, Donald Trump was showing only mild symptoms. He had a fever and was lethargic. Also, Trump is not requiring supplemental oxygen.
Where and how is he being treated?
Earlier on Friday, Trump was provided an experimental antibody cocktail; Vitamin D; famotidine, typically used to treat heartburn and acid reflux; the sleep aid melatonin; and aspirin by the team of doctors.
President Trump has been admitted to the nation's premier military hospital, Walter Reed Military Medical Centre in Washington for a few days, informed his doctor Sean Conley on Friday night after consulting with specialists from there and the Johns Hopkins University.
Also Read: US President Donald Trump, first lady Melania test Covid-19 positive
Here in Military Hospital, Trump is being given an antiviral medication. He has started 'Remdesivir' therapy in consultation with specialists and had taken the first dose, Conley said.
Remdesivir is an anti-viral medication originally developed to fight the Ebola virus but is being tried against Covid-19. The drug developed by Gilead Sciences is given intravenously.
The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has given it an emergency use authorization "for the treatment of suspected or laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 in adults and children hospitalized with severe disease".
How will Trump hold election campaigns?
It is high-time for campaigning but Trump is infected and admitted to the hospital. Interestingly, he is working and has limited his campaigning in the crucial month before the November 3 presidential election.
"The President will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed (hospital) for the next few days," his spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany said on Friday evening.
His campaign plans have been canceled for the coming days, Campaign Senior Adviser Corey Lewandowski said.
Did news of Trump being ill with Covid affect the market?
As news as the news broke out, the markets generally shrugged off Trump's ailment. After having been down by 450 points, the Dow Jones Index closed down only 134 points or 0.5 percent. S&P was down 1 percent and the NASDAQ 2.2 percent, not unusual market volatility.
How people reacted to it?
In a poll conducted on Friday by Morning Consult found that 40 percent of Democrats were "happy" about Trump's diagnosis, while 55 percent of Republicans were "sad".