President Donald Trump told Americans to «not be afraid» of the coronavirus before leaving Walter Reed Medical Center to continue treatment for COVID-19 at home.
Trump said he and the first lady were diagnosed with a potentially deadly virus on Friday, October 2. After that, the president was hospitalized, but four days later he returned to the White House. Video from the scene shows Trump climbing onto the balcony and defiantly removing his mask in front of the crowd — despite the high likelihood that he is still carrying the virus.
Addressing Americans on social media, the incumbent president said they should not let the virus «control» their lives, and said he «feels even better than 20 years ago.»
“Don't let [COVID-19] control you, don't be afraid of it. Trump said, «You can win.»
President Trump has returned to the White House after spending three nights at Walter Reed Medical Center for coronavirus treatment.
After exiting Marine One, Trump walked up a set of stairs, took off his mask and posed for photographs on a balcony. https://t.co/P3BAaWUCWL pic.twitter.com/Ibc3BHGlRX
— CNN (@CNN) October 5, 2020
“You don't have to stay at home, just be careful. We have the best drugs in the world, and soon they will be [available] to everyone, ”the president added, obviously referring to an experimental drug, not approved by the FDA, which he was taking in the hospital.
Trump also tweeted that he will «soon» resume the presidential campaign. He is expected to take part in the debate scheduled for October 15th.
The reaction to the president's words was not long in coming, prompting a flurry of criticism from a number of scientists, as well as Americans who defeated the coronavirus or lost relatives because of it. Trump was criticized for downplaying the danger of the virus — also recalling that he received medical care not available to most citizens.
Dr. William Schaffner — an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical School — called the president's statement «dangerous,» noting that Trump actually encouraged his supporters to ignore security measures.
«[His words] will provoke more reckless behavior,» Schaffner emphasized, «which in turn will lead to a more active spread of the virus and, in the end, increase mortality.»
