Original article from: NPR
President Trump tweeted early Friday morning that he tested positive for the coronavirus. But questions remain about what exactly happened before and after — when the president was first diagnosed, started experiencing symptoms and exactly what treatment he received and when.
On Saturday, White House Physician Sean Conley, for example, told reporters Trump was 72 hours into his diagnosis, but then said in a memo later on that he meant to say three days. Conley refused to say whether Trump had ever received supplemental oxygen this week, and another doctor said Trump received treatment 48 hours ago — also quickly walked back by the White House.
Here’s what we know about what happened when:
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Did Trump put Biden and his own supporters in grave danger?
- White House Physician Sean Conley, told reporters Trump was 72 hours into his diagnosis, but then said in a memo later on that he meant to say three days. That would mean Trump knew he had COVID on Wednesday.
- Trump tweeted that he had COVID on Friday.
- Trump was at the debate on Tuesday and held a rally on Wednesday.
- The delay in people finding out may have caused the virus to spread to many other people.
- This may or may not be true. If it is true, it means Trump knowingly put hundreds of people in grave danger.
Before speculating on Trump’s COVID-diagnosis timeline, it’s important to realize that the facts are still coming in. Much hinges on when Trump’s diagnosis was. However, if the timeline is correct, it makes Trump’s actions extremely irresponsible.
This is what we know:
On Saturday, White House Physician Sean Conley told reporters Trump was 72 hours into his diagnosis, but then said in a memo later on that he meant to say three days. That would mean Trump knew he had COVID on Wednesday, Sep 30.
If Trump was aware that he was positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, he should have let people he came into contact with know immediately. Trump held the debate with Joe Biden the day before. Trump also held a rally on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Trump tweeted that his aid, Hope Hicks, tested positive.
Friday, Oct 2, Trump tweeted that he tested positive for COVID-19.
During the debate, Trump mocked Joe Biden for wearing a mask too often.
How all of this will play out during the last month before the election is anyone’s guess. If Trump knew that we were positive for COVID on Wednesday, his actions afterward were extremely dangerous and irresponsible.