Countries around the world are not the only places enduring the COVID-19 crisis. Now, there’s a growing White House pandemic.
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For months, Donald Trump has downplayed or completely ignored the deadly coronavirus. Both he and Mike Pence made it a point to refuse to stop shaking hands or to practice the social distancing protocols they drilled into the American public. They also vowed not to wear protective masks like the rest of us. So, how did the virus respond? It made its presence known by showing up directly on the doorstep of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
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Late last week, The White House was forced to admit that a member of the US Navy who works as a personal valet for Donald Trump has tested positive for COVID-19. Valets are members of an elite military unit dedicated to providing personal attention to presidents and are frequently in direct contact with them. In fact, Trump’s valet regularly travels with him wherever he goes, provides him with food and beverage, handles his luggage, and more.
Needless to say, Donald Trump was not at all happy with having to tell the world that COVID-19 has made its way inside the walls of the White House. In a personal statement, Trump claimed he had “very little personal contact” with the man whose job it is to see to his needs — which makes the case Trump is very likely secretly scared he could end up hospitalized like his pal, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who endured a deadly battle with the virus.
In a statement regarding the new White House pandemic, deputy White House press secretary Hogan Gidley had this to say:
“We were recently notified by the White House Medical Unit that a member of the United States Military, who works on the White House campus, has tested positive for Coronavirus. The President and the Vice President have since tested negative for the virus and they remain in great health.”
“White House valets, in particular, are often within spitting distance — if not breathing distance — of the President, Vice President, security details, and the President’s family. They are expected to be available and by his side, whether it’s in the White House or onboard Air Force One. Because they are responsible for the President’s personal needs, including serving him meals or helping him get dressed, it’s hard to believe Trump when he says he had “very little personal contact” with the infected valet.” – Samantha Vinograd, CNN
If that wasn’t enough, Katie Miller, the press secretary for VP Mike Pence and wife of Trump advisor Stephen Miller, tested positive for the coronavirus only days after Pence refused to wear a mask so he could “look first responders in the eye” while visiting the famed Mayo Clinic.
“Vice President Pence will continue to follow the advice of the White House Medical Unit and is not in quarantine,” Pence spokesman Devin O’Malley said in a defiant statement. “Additionally, Vice President Pence has tested negative every single day and plans to be at the White House [on Monday],” he added.
Wait, there’s more.
The personal assistant for 1st daughter Ivanka Trump has also tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, USA Today is reporting that 11 members of the US Secret Service (responsible for protecting Trump) are infected with the coronavirus and that at least 60 staffers have opted to go into self-quarantine.
So, how are those inside the White House reacting to the news of the virus floating around their workplace?
White House pandemic task force member Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has been in regular contact with Trump, Pence, and their now-positive aides announced he will immediately self-quarantine.
Dozens of White House employees and members of the senior staff have openly expressed fear that the virus has made its way to the West Wing and have responded by NOT following the lead of their boss and wearing masks and gloves while at work.
“It is scary to go to work,” Trump top economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Sunday. Although he has worn a mask at times inside the White House, he conceded that “I think that I’d be a lot safer if I was sitting at home than I would be going to the West Wing.”
Hassett added: “It’s a small, crowded place. It’s, you know, it’s a little bit risky. But you have to do it because you have to serve your country.”
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Last week, several top military officials arrived on the grounds of the White House for a Joint Chiefs of Staff meeting wearing masks — but, in deference to Trump, removed their masks once inside the meeting.
As for Donald Trump and Mike Pence, they seem resigned to regularly flaunt the rules and act as if they are permanently immune to contracting the coronavirus. However, the coronavirus is not intimidated and could have the last laugh.
COVID-19 has already proven it is deep within the corridors of the White House by boldly attacking several of the closest staff members of both Trump and Pence. So, how many more in that close circle are already sick and have not gone public, or are asymptomatic and don’t yet know they’re sick? Also, how soon before it reaches Pence or Trump — if it hasn’t already?
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I just saw on CNN Trump is hot about this coming into the White House. He wants to make it look like everything is fine so the country can open back up but how can he when the virus is making his own people sick. You asked the right questions DJ. How soon before the virus hits Trump and Pence? With all those people around them positive plus folks going public they are worried about going to work there I have my doubts Trump and Pence are really negative. Somebody is lying.