On Thursday night, Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, tested positive for COVID-19. To say that many people didn't see this coming is an understatement. Trump was hospitalized at the Walter Reed Medical Center, where he stayed in a presidential suite that included a fully secure conference room, and even a living room with a dining room table and a chandelier.
Throughout his stay at the medical center, Trump supporters gathered outside of the building with flags, hats, signs, and more. However, the pictures and videos show no sign of masks or any COVID-19 precautions as they stood in the street cheering for President Trump outside of his window.
The President was released from Walter Reed Medical Center around 6:30pm on Monday night. Soon after he began to tweet about his experience with Coronavirus. Trump wrote, "Feeling really good! Don't be afraid of Covid. Don't let it dominate your life." Then he went on to say that he felt better now than he had in the last twenty years.
Donald Trump is 74 years old. Eight out of ten people that have died from Coronavirus have been above the age of 65. he is the definition of a high risk individual, yet he recovered within three days of being in the hospital. Many would think that the President of the United States of America contracting COVID would make him take it more seriously, but instead he tweets out to the American people telling them to not be afraid. Many would think that instead he might say something like, "Stay safe and wear your mask!", but instead he tweeted out to the American people telling them to not let the virus dominate their life.
This past July, I was exposed to many people who unknowingly had COVID-19. My friends had contracted the virus, and then had passed it on to their parents, siblings, and more friends. I was immediately tested and then I was quarantined in my room and was experiencing many symptoms, waiting for my test to come back. During the days that we waited on my test results, both of my grandparents, who are in their late-seventies and mid-eighties, were hospitalized for health issues unrelated to the virus. My mom and dad were the only relatives around to take them to the hospital and take care of them. However, without knowing if I had tested positive, we had no idea if my parents also had it, and would then be spreading it to my already ill grandparents.
Eventually my test results had come back negative, but with my symptoms I stayed in quarantine for the next ten days. I did everything I could to make sure my family was safe. However, those few days without knowing my results were extremely scary. I felt so helpless and guilty. Even though I wear a mask, don't attend big gatherings and do my part in staying safe, I had still put my loved ones in danger.
So here is my message to anyone reading: Do not let President Trump's recovery make you less cautious. Do not use his recovery as a reason to not wear a mask in public, or to attend huge parties. Keep in mind the health and safety of your family and friends, especially the ones at a higher risk. Have empathy and be kind. Always.
