News of President Trump’s positive test for COVID-19 has rocked the nation, sparking fears and uncertainty with an election just 32 days away.
Many questions remain unanswered, such as how and when the president became infected, whether he might have spread the disease to others, and what it will mean for both the upcoming presidential debates and for the election itself.
For now, the president and First Lady — who also tested positive — are isolating in the White House residence as the nation waits with bated breath to find out how the virus will affect them.
So far, President Trump is said to be experiencing “mild” symptoms.
The New York Times reported that the president had seemed lethargic at a fundraiser on Thursday night, according to a source.
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows confirmed that President Trump had cold-like symptoms but stressed that he and the First Lady were in “good spirits,” and the president was continuing to work from the White House residence.
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The president’s positive test has sparked a flurry of testing among those he has come into close contact with as well.
Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence both tested negative following the President’s positive test, Pence’s press secretary, Devin O’Malley, confirmed on Twitter . Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have also tested negative , while RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel reported testing positive.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, who shared a debate stage with Trump Tuesday night, both un-masked, is expected to undergo a test Friday as well. Biden issued a statement Friday morning wishing the president a “swift recovery.”
As several outlets have reported, Trump is considered at higher risk to develop more severe effects from the disease.
Trump’s age and weight both put him in the elevated risk category, CNBC reported.
However, so far the president’s physician noted that both he and Melania, who is 50, “are both well at this time,” and “plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence,” AP News reported.
While experts say that 80% of those who become infected with the disease experience only mild or no symptoms, it’s also unpredictable.
“The odds are far and away that he’ll have a mild illness,” the Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Gregory Poland told AP News .
But there’s just no way to know how the disease will play out. “We have young people who die. We have nursing home patients, a lot of them, who actually do quite well,” Poland added.