Donald Trump Tests Positive for COVID-19, What Now?

In about a month, the USA’s presidential elections will be held amidst the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic that has put the whole world at tenterhooks. Due to the lasting effects of the pandemic, several preventive measures, including social distancing, were called the info effect. Regardless of the social distancing measures, presidential candidates like President Donald Trump of the Republican Party have continued to attend political rallies in various states. These gatherings put the presidential candidates at risk of contracting the deadly virus as they address crowds and participate in the meetings with their political supporters. 

On October 1st at 9:54 PM, the U.S President Donald Trump (@realDonaldTrump on Twitter) tweeted that he and his wife Melania, First Lady of the USA, had tested positive for COVID-19. They were going to begin their quarantine and recovery process immediately. “we will get through this TOGETHER!” he added in the tweet.

News from the white house confirmed that he had been transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after he had reportedly shown symptoms of mild COVID-19 like fever and congestion. Later the medical team confirmed that Mr. Trump had started receiving treatment.

The President and his wife, who have been running a tight schedule of campaigns and political meetings, will have a change in plans to take care of their health first, and hopefully, we shall expect more of virtual and online meetings from President Trump.

Mr. Joe Biden, a presidential candidate, determined to evacuate Mr. Trump from the White House and office of the President, also got tested along with his wife, Jill Biden. 

Mr. Biden, @JoeBiden on Twitter, tweeted to confirm he and his wife had tested negative for COVID-19 and went ahead to encourage people to maintain COVID-19 preventive measures. In another tweet, Mr. Biden stated that they would continue to pray for the president and his family’s health and safety.

What does this mean for Mr. Biden’s presidential bid?

Would one at this moment say Mr. Biden is at a better advantage than Trump as he has more time to attend rallies? This is a question that will be answered on November 3rd when America finally decides.

After Trump’s hospitalization, uncertainty arises on the progress of the private stimulus bill negotiations between White House Republicans and House Democrats over a new stimulus package delivering coronavirus relief aid.  The urgency for both sides to agree on more economic stimulus for Americans reeling from the effects of COVID-19 and soaring unemployment rates is present.

The House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, on MSNBC said, “Maybe this will be the moment where people will say, ‘OK, masks, sanitation, treatment,” she added. “It might be a learning experience.”

The House Speaker and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have continued to negotiate by phone. This gives some hope to the stimulus bill that the Americans are expecting to help them out the COVID-19 effects.  

Recently, Donald Trump tweeted, “I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!” Hopefully, the POTUS is in good hands and will be readily available to continue his campaign shortly.