thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-04--New Jersey Health Officials Say Hundreds Of Trump Fundraiser Guests Exposed To COVID-19

New Jersey health officials said Sunday that at least 206 guests may have been exposed to COVID-19 at President Donald Trump ’ s campaign fundraiser on Thursday , just hours before he announced his positive test result .
The White House gave state officials the names of 206 people who attended the high-dollar event at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster , New Jersey , according to the New Jersey Department of Health .
The list ― which does not include staff working at the club ― allows health officials to have enough information to accurately contact trace in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aide to Gov .
Phil Murphy ( D ) told HuffPost on Friday afternoon that the state was still waiting for the full roster of everyone who attended the event ― including donors , outside vendors and club workers .
Because it took days for the White House and the Republican National Committee to provide New Jersey with a full list of attendees , anyone who was infected at the fundraiser went untreated and may have continued to spread the virus .
Health officials said they ’ re reaching out to the attendees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure , recommend that individuals self-monitor for any symptoms and quarantine if they were in close contact with Trump , who is currently hospitalized with the virus .
Health officials in Somerset County were interviewing club staff members to assess how much contact they had with Trump and his staff and to provide appropriate health recommendations .
Most of the Trump club staff reside in the county .
“ The contact tracing process is ongoing , ” the Department of Health tweeted Sunday .
“ Attendees that are seeking a test should consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event .
While the risk is low , a negative test earlier than that time can not definitively rule out that COVID-19 will not develop .
… Those who are concerned that they were in close contact should quarantine for 14 days.
” The department added that state officials have been informed that the federal government is also conducting contact tracing in connection with the fundraiser in Bedminster .
In addition to alerting people when they have been exposed to COVID-19 , contact tracing also provides accurate medical information about testing and quarantining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close contacts .
Attendees told the New Jersey Globe that the more crowded portion of Trump ’ s fundraiser took place outdoors , but that a roundtable and photo op with the president happened indoors , where the virus was more likely to spread .
Sixteen donors attended the roundtable , which reportedly cost $ 250,000 per head .
A separate report by The Washington Post said that Trump met with about two dozen supporters at the roundtable .
HuffPost found that social media posts after Trump ’ s diagnosis revealed that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president had already spread out across the country , had gone out in public and had not worn masks .
Three people who attended told the New Jersey Globe that they would get tested but did not plan to quarantine until they received results .
Brandon Dawson — CEO of the Audigy Group , based in Vancouver , Washington — and his fiancee , Natalie Workman , were both guests at the fundraiser , as documented on Dawson ’ s Instagram account .
On Friday afternoon , more than 12 hours after news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the couple posted several Instagram stories of themselves without masks as they toured a building under construction in Arizona , where at least one other person was present .
At a news conference on Saturday , Trump ’ s White House physician , Sean Conley , gave a timeline that suggested the president had serious reason to suspect he had COVID-19 long before he announced it , yet continued to behave as if he were not infected .

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New Jersey health officials said Sunday that at least 206 guests may have been exposed to COVID-19 at President Donald Trump’s campaign fundraiser on Thursday, just hours before he announced his positive test result.
The White House gave state officials the names of 206 people who attended the high-dollar event at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. The list ― which does not include staff working at the club ― allows health officials to have enough information to accurately contact trace in connection with the fundraiser.
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❗UPDATE❗DOH & @SomersetCntyNJ Dept. of Health have received information from the management of Trump Nat’l Golf Course in Bedminster, NJ & the White House.
The White House supplied to NJ officials the names of at least 206 individuals who attended the events. — NJDOH (@NJDeptofHealth) October 4, 2020
Previous reports said that Trump came into contact with 100 people at the fundraiser and that he seemed “lethargic,” a common symptom of the virus.
A senior aide to Gov. Phil Murphy (D) told HuffPost on Friday afternoon that the state was still waiting for the full roster of everyone who attended the event ― including donors, outside vendors and club workers.
Because it took days for the White House and the Republican National Committee to provide New Jersey with a full list of attendees, anyone who was infected at the fundraiser went untreated and may have continued to spread the virus.
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Health officials said they’re reaching out to the attendees to make them aware of potential COVID-19 exposure, recommend that individuals self-monitor for any symptoms and quarantine if they were in close contact with Trump, who is currently hospitalized with the virus.
Health officials in Somerset County were interviewing club staff members to assess how much contact they had with Trump and his staff and to provide appropriate health recommendations. Most of the Trump club staff reside in the county.
“The contact tracing process is ongoing,” the Department of Health tweeted Sunday. “Attendees that are seeking a test should consider waiting at least 5-7 days from the event. While the risk is low, a negative test earlier than that time cannot definitively rule out that COVID-19 will not develop. … Those who are concerned that they were in close contact should quarantine for 14 days.”
The contact tracing process is ongoing.
Attendees that are seeking a test should consider waiting at least 5-7 days from the event. While the risk is low, a negative test earlier than that time cannot definitively rule out that COVID-19 will not develop. — NJDOH (@NJDeptofHealth) October 4, 2020
The department added that state officials have been informed that the federal government is also conducting contact tracing in connection with the fundraiser in Bedminster. In addition to alerting people when they have been exposed to COVID-19, contact tracing also provides accurate medical information about testing and quarantining. Contact tracers may also call other close contacts.
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Attendees told the New Jersey Globe that the more crowded portion of Trump’s fundraiser took place outdoors, but that a roundtable and photo op with the president happened indoors, where the virus was more likely to spread. Sixteen donors attended the roundtable, which reportedly cost $250,000 per head. A separate report by The Washington Post said that Trump met with about two dozen supporters at the roundtable.
HuffPost found that social media posts after Trump’s diagnosis revealed that people who went to the fundraiser with the president had already spread out across the country, had gone out in public and had not worn masks. Three people who attended told the New Jersey Globe that they would get tested but did not plan to quarantine until they received results.
Brandon Dawson — CEO of the Audigy Group, based in Vancouver, Washington — and his fiancee, Natalie Workman, were both guests at the fundraiser, as documented on Dawson’s Instagram account. On Friday afternoon, more than 12 hours after news broke of Trump’s diagnosis, the couple posted several Instagram stories of themselves without masks as they toured a building under construction in Arizona, where at least one other person was present.
Trump announced early Friday morning that he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the virus, just hours after news broke that White House aide Hope Hicks tested positive Thursday evening.
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At a news conference on Saturday, Trump’s White House physician, Sean Conley, gave a timeline that suggested the president had serious reason to suspect he had COVID-19 long before he announced it, yet continued to behave as if he were not infected.
In addition to the New Jersey fundraiser on Thursday, Trump also attended a rally in Duluth, Minnesota, on Wednesday and the first presidential debate in Cleveland on Tuesday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-04--Trump Briefly Leaves Hospital To Wave To Supporters From His Car

“ I was trying to reflect the upbeat attitude of the team , that the president , that his course of illness has had .
Didn ’ t want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction , ” Conley said .
“ And in doing so , came off like we ’ re trying to hide something , which wasn ’ t necessarily true .
The fact of the matter is that he ’ s doing really well.
” Before walking away , Conley said the president had a “ high fever ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % on Friday and during “ another episode ” on Saturday .
He was evasive about the timing ( “ It was over the course of the day , yeah , yesterday morning , ” he said ) and when asked whether Trump ’ s level had dropped below 90 % ( “ We don ’ t have any recordings here on that.
” ) But he revealed that Trump was give a dose of the steroid dexamethasone in response .
Trump has been eager to return home and hates the image of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people familiar with his mood .
He has also been struggling to come to grips with the uncertainty of how long his illness will last and when he might be able to return to the campaign , with just weeks to go before the Nov. 3 election .
Biden was at home in Wilmington , Delaware , on Sunday with no plans for in-person campaigning or other public appearances .
Having already tested negative , he is expected to release the results of a new coronavirus test later in the day .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all other future test results for the 77-year-old candidate .
“ Our plan for today is to have him eat and drink , to be up out of bed as much as possible , to be mobile , ” Garibaldi said .
“ And if he continues to look and feel as well as he does today , our hope is that we can plan for a discharge as early as tomorrow to the White House where he can continue his treatment course.
” More than 209,000 Americans have been killed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of confirmed fatalities in the word .
In all , nearly 7.4 million people have been infected in the United States , and few have access to the kind of around-the-clock attention and experimental treatments as Trump .
Trump ’ s treatment with the steroid dexamethasone is in addition to the single dose he was given Friday of an experimental drug from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. that supplies antibodies to help the immune system fight the virus .
Trump on Friday also began a five-day course of remdesivir , a Gilead Sciences drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients .
The drugs work in different ways — the antibodies help the immune system rid the body of virus , and remdesivir curbs the virus ’ ability to multiply .
The National Institutes of Health COVID-19 treatment guidelines recommend against using dexamethasone in patients who do not require oxygen .
It has only been proven to help in more serious cases .
Among the concerns with earlier use is that steroids tamp down certain immune cells , hindering the body ’ s own ability to fight off infection .
At the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to trace a flurry of new infections of close Trump aides and allies , including adviser Hope Hicks , former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie , former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway and several Republican lawmakers .
The president ’ s campaign manager , Bill Stepien , and the head of the Republican National Committee , Ronna McDaniel , have also tested positive .

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BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — President Donald Trump briefly left the hospital Sunday in his car to wave to supporters gathered outside.
The president’s visit came shortly after he promised his supporters “a surprise” in a video posted on social media.
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“It’s been a very interesting journey,” Trump said in the video. “I learned a lot about COVID. I learned it by really going to school. This is the real school. This isn’t the let’s read the books school. And I get it, and I understand it. And it’s a very interesting thing.”
Earlier in the day, Trump’s doctor said he “continued to improve” and suggested he could be discharged as early as Monday.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
President Donald Trump’s blood oxygen level dropped suddenly twice in recent days, his doctors revealed Sunday as they continued to evade basic questions about his health during treatment for COVID-19. Still, they said he “continued to improve” and suggested he could be discharged as early as Monday.
Speaking on the steps of the military hospital where Trump spent a third day, his doctors again sidestepped questions, including the timing of his second dip in oxygen, which they neglected to mention in multiple statements the day before, or whether lung scans showed any damage.
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It was the second straight day of obfuscation from a White House already suffering from a credibility crisis. And it raised serious questions about whether the doctors treating the president can be trusted to share accurate, timely information with the American public.
Pressed about conflicting information he and the White House released on Saturday, Navy Cmdr. Dr. Sean Conley acknowledged that he had tried to present a rosy description of the president’s condition.
“I was trying to reflect the upbeat attitude of the team, that the president, that his course of illness has had. Didn’t want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction,” Conley said. “And in doing so, came off like we’re trying to hide something, which wasn’t necessarily true. The fact of the matter is that he’s doing really well.”
The briefing outside the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center lasted just 10 minutes.
Before walking away, Conley said the president had a “high fever” and a blood oxygen level below 94% on Friday and during “another episode” on Saturday. He was evasive about the timing (“It was over the course of the day, yeah, yesterday morning,” he said) and when asked whether Trump’s level had dropped below 90% (“We don’t have any recordings here on that.”) But he revealed that Trump was give a dose of the steroid dexamethasone in response.
Trump’s blood oxygen level currently stands at 98%, Trump’s medical team said.
Blood oxygen saturation is a key health marker for COVID-19 patients. A normal reading is between 95 and 100. A drop below 90 is concerning.
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The doctors also declined to say what they had found in scans of the president’s lungs.
“There’s some expected findings, but nothing of any major clinical concern,” Conley said. He declined to outline those “expected findings.” The virus can cause pneumonia and other damage that may be visible in scans before a patient is feeling very sick.
Trump offered his own assessment of his status the night before in a video from his hospital suite, saying he was beginning to feel better and hoped to “be back soon.” He was back on social media early Sunday morning, sharing a video of flag-waving supporters, most not wearing masks, gathered outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Trump has been eager to return home and hates the image of himself at the hospital, according to people familiar with his mood. He has also been struggling to come to grips with the uncertainty of how long his illness will last and when he might be able to return to the campaign, with just weeks to go before the Nov. 3 election.
Trump’s Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, pulled his attack ads off the air during Trump’s hospitalization, and on Sunday, he dispatched senior aides to deliver a largely friendly message.
“We are sincerely hoping that the president makes a very quick recovery, and we can see him back out on the campaign trail very soon,” Biden adviser Symone Sanders said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
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She added, “This is a glaring reminder that the virus is real.”
Biden was at home in Wilmington, Delaware, on Sunday with no plans for in-person campaigning or other public appearances. Having already tested negative, he is expected to release the results of a new coronavirus test later in the day. His campaign has pledged to disclose those results and all other future test results for the 77-year-old candidate.
On Saturday, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows contradicted the rosy picture painted by Trump’s doctors when he told reporters outside the hospital, “We’re still not on a clear path yet to a full recovery.” Conley moments earlier had refused to say whether the president had ever required supplemental oxygen, before it was reported he indeed had.
In an update Saturday night, Trump’s chief doctor expressed cautious optimism but added that the president was “not yet out of the woods.”
On Sunday, Conley’s assessment was more positive, even while he acknowledged for the first time a second sudden drop in Trump’s blood oxygen level on Saturday.
Another member of the president’s medical team, Dr. Brian Garibaldi, said Trump on Sunday “has been up and around” and “feels well.”
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“Our plan for today is to have him eat and drink, to be up out of bed as much as possible, to be mobile,” Garibaldi said. “And if he continues to look and feel as well as he does today, our hope is that we can plan for a discharge as early as tomorrow to the White House where he can continue his treatment course.”
More than 209,000 Americans have been killed by the virus, by far the highest number of confirmed fatalities in the word. In all, nearly 7.4 million people have been infected in the United States, and few have access to the kind of around-the-clock attention and experimental treatments as Trump.
Trump’s treatment with the steroid dexamethasone is in addition to the single dose he was given Friday of an experimental drug from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. that supplies antibodies to help the immune system fight the virus. Trump on Friday also began a five-day course of remdesivir, a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for moderately and severely ill patients. The drugs work in different ways — the antibodies help the immune system rid the body of virus, and remdesivir curbs the virus’ ability to multiply.
Garibaldi, a specialist in pulmonary critical care, said the president was not showing any side effects of the drugs “that we can tell.”
The National Institutes of Health COVID-19 treatment guidelines recommend against using dexamethasone in patients who do not require oxygen. It has only been proven to help in more serious cases. Among the concerns with earlier use is that steroids tamp down certain immune cells, hindering the body’s own ability to fight off infection.
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Trump is 74 years old and clinically obese, putting him at higher risk of serious complications.
First lady Melania Trump has remained at the White House as she recovers from her own bout with the virus.
Trump’s administration has been less than transparent with the public throughout the pandemic about the president’s health and the spread of the virus inside the White House. Several White House officials this weekend expressed frustration with the way things have been handled.
They were particularly upset by the whiplash between Conley’s rosy assessment Saturday and Meadows’ more concerned outlook. They privately acknowledge that the administration has little credibility on COVID-19 and that they have unnecessarily squandered what remains of it with the lack of clear, accurate updates on Trump’s condition.
Most of that frustration appears to be directed at Trump himself, with aides believing that he has restricted what Conley can say or that Conley has tried to appease the president by presenting an optimistic outlook. They also blame Meadows for not establishing clear lines of communication and for making the situation worse Saturday.
Many in the White House are also shaken and scared — nervous that they have been exposed to the virus and confronting the reality that what seemed like a bubble of safety has become a COVID-19 hot spot. There has been no mass directive sent to staff on how they should respond.
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At the same time, the White House has been working to trace a flurry of new infections of close Trump aides and allies, including adviser Hope Hicks, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway and several Republican lawmakers. The president’s campaign manager, Bill Stepien, and the head of the Republican National Committee, Ronna McDaniel, have also tested positive.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-04--Trump's Doctor's Comments On Symptoms, Care Spark Confusion

Conley said Sunday that Trump is doing well enough that he might be sent back to the White House in another day ― even as he announced the president was given a steroid drug that ’ s only recommended for the very sick .
Then there ’ s the question of public trust : Conley acknowledged that he had tried to present a rosy description of the president ’ s condition in his first briefing of the weekend “ and in doing so , came off like we ’ re trying to hide something , which wasn ’ t necessarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to directly answer on Saturday whether the president had been given any oxygen ― only to admit the next day that he had ordered oxygen for Trump on Friday morning .
“ It ’ s a little unusual to have to guess what ’ s really going on because the clinical descriptions are so vague , ” said Dr. Steven Shapiro , the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center ’ s chief medical and science officer .
With the steroid news , “ there ’ s a little bit of a disconnect.
” Conley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 ― and already has experienced some criticism about his decisions .
In May , Conley prescribed Trump a two-week course of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to protect against the coronavirus after two White House staffers had tested positive .
Rigorous studies have made clear that hydroxychloroquine , which Trump long championed , does no good in either treating or preventing COVID-19 .
A number of current and former military officials declined to comment on the record , referring all questions to the White House .
But several said they were concerned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more upbeat characterization of the president ’ s current health condition is raising flags within the Navy about his credibility and the reputation of the Navy ’ s medical team .
They said his admission that he tried to give an optimistic description of Trump ’ s condition may lead the public to question future information he or the other doctors provide .
They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations or because they are not part of the president ’ s medical team and therefore do not have details on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ records from Virginia , Conley graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2006 .
Rather than having an M.D .
degree , Conley is a D.O.
, or doctor of osteopathic medicine ― a fully licensed physician but one that , according to the American Osteopathic Association , focuses more holistically on treating the “ whole person.
” Garibaldi told a Hopkins publication over the summer that he had enrolled in a study testing if hydroxychloroquine could protect health workers ― even as he said doctors must “ resist the urge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We all want to do something to help our patients but sometimes doing something can be more harmful than doing nothing and I think we need to keep that in mind.
” What ’ s known about Trump ’ s current treatment : He was given an experimental antibody drug that most people could get only in a research study ― along with a course of remdesivir , an antiviral , earlier than most patients .
And giving the steroid drug to a mildly sick patient disregards treatment guidelines from the National Institutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say it ’ s only for people ill enough to need oxygen .
For seriously ill people , research shows that once the virus has escaped the immune system , dexamethasone can tamp down the resulting inflammation and save lives .
“ If they ’ re really talking about discharge tomorrow , and he really isn ’ t on oxygen , ” Shapiro said , “ then it ’ s more likely that the dexamethasone is just thrown in there as more one more thing that probably isn ’ t necessary and might @ @ @ @ @ @

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For the second day in a row, the Navy commander in charge of President Donald Trump’s care left the world wondering: Just how sick is the president?
Dr. Sean Conley is trained in emergency medicine, not infectious disease, but he has a long list of specialists helping determine Trump’s treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
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Conley said Sunday that Trump is doing well enough that he might be sent back to the White House in another day ― even as he announced the president was given a steroid drug that’s only recommended for the very sick.
Worse, steroids like dexamethasone tamp down important immune cells, raising concern about whether the treatment choice might hamper the ability of the president’s body to fight the virus.
Then there’s the question of public trust: Conley acknowledged that he had tried to present a rosy description of the president’s condition in his first briefing of the weekend “and in doing so, came off like we’re trying to hide something, which wasn’t necessarily true.”
In fact, Conley refused to directly answer on Saturday whether the president had been given any oxygen ― only to admit the next day that he had ordered oxygen for Trump on Friday morning.
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It’s puzzling even for outside specialists.
“It’s a little unusual to have to guess what’s really going on because the clinical descriptions are so vague,” said Dr. Steven Shapiro, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s chief medical and science officer. With the steroid news, “there’s a little bit of a disconnect.”
Conley has been Trump’s physician since 2018 ― and already has experienced some criticism about his decisions. In May, Conley prescribed Trump a two-week course of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to protect against the coronavirus after two White House staffers had tested positive. Rigorous studies have made clear that hydroxychloroquine, which Trump long championed, does no good in either treating or preventing COVID-19.
This time around, Conley is being put to an even greater test, trying to balance informing a public that needs honesty about the condition of the president with a patient who dislikes appearing vulnerable.
Dr. Stephen Xenakis, a psychiatrist who retired from the Army medical corps as a brigadier general, said Conley would be obliged to follow Trump’s wishes regarding what information about his condition is released publicly, as is true in any doctor-patient relationship.
But Conley as a military medical officer is bound to adhere to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which prohibits lying, he said.
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A number of current and former military officials declined to comment on the record, referring all questions to the White House. But several said they were concerned that Conley’s efforts to spin a more upbeat characterization of the president’s current health condition is raising flags within the Navy about his credibility and the reputation of the Navy’s medical team. They said his admission that he tried to give an optimistic description of Trump’s condition may lead the public to question future information he or the other doctors provide.
They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations or because they are not part of the president’s medical team and therefore do not have details on his condition.
According to medical licensing records from Virginia, Conley graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2006. Rather than having an M.D. degree, Conley is a D.O., or doctor of osteopathic medicine ― a fully licensed physician but one that, according to the American Osteopathic Association, focuses more holistically on treating the “whole person.”
Conley went on to a residency in emergency medicine at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, and served at a NATO trauma hospital at Kandahar airfield in Afghanistan.
A trauma expert isn’t required to be up to speed on respiratory viruses ― but deciding to move Trump to Walter Reed meant Conley would be backed up by a team of critical care experts who specialize in pulmonary and infectious disease.
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Several are Walter Reed staff, but the team also brought in Dr. Brian Garibaldi from nearby Johns Hopkins University, a well-known expert in acute lung injury who has cared for COVID-19 patients.
Garibaldi told a Hopkins publication over the summer that he had enrolled in a study testing if hydroxychloroquine could protect health workers ― even as he said doctors must “resist the urge to give this medicine to everyone. We all want to do something to help our patients but sometimes doing something can be more harmful than doing nothing and I think we need to keep that in mind.”
What’s known about Trump’s current treatment: He was given an experimental antibody drug that most people could get only in a research study ― along with a course of remdesivir, an antiviral, earlier than most patients.
Pittsburgh’s Shapiro, who is both a lung and critical care specialist, called those reasonable decisions: The idea is to help the body fight the virus early, before it triggers a lung-damaging inflammatory overreaction.
What Trump’s medical team hasn’t mentioned: Whether he’s getting blood thinners, which are being given to nearly all hospitalized COVID-19 patients to prevent virus-triggered blood clots that in turn harm the lungs and other organs.
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And giving the steroid drug to a mildly sick patient disregards treatment guidelines from the National Institutes of Health and World Health Organization that say it’s only for people ill enough to need oxygen. For seriously ill people, research shows that once the virus has escaped the immune system, dexamethasone can tamp down the resulting inflammation and save lives.
“If they’re really talking about discharge tomorrow, and he really isn’t on oxygen,” Shapiro said, “then it’s more likely that the dexamethasone is just thrown in there as more one more thing that probably isn’t necessary and might not even be helpful.”
“The next few days are going to be key,” Shapiro noted.
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AP reporters Lolita C. Baldor and Brian Witte contributed to this report.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-04--What Is Dexamethasone? Trump Given Steroid To Help Fight Coronavirus Infection

Trump was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday , just hours after revealing he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the virus .
During the course of his illness , Trump has received a single infusion of an experimental coronavirus treatment developed by the biotech company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals ; at least two doses of remdesivir , an antiviral drug that the Food and Drug Administration has authorized for emergency use in hospitalized coronavirus patients ; and at least one dose of dexamethasone .
Here ’ s what we know about dexamethasone : Dexamethasone is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provides relief for inflammation , according to the Mayo Clinic .
It is used to treat several different conditions , including arthritis , allergic reactions , breathing problems and skin diseases .
The trial randomly assigned 2,104 patients to receive the drug and compared their experience with 4,321 patients who underwent normal treatment .
The drug was administered either orally or intravenously .
Dexamethasone reduced deaths by 35 % in patients who required breathing machines during their treatment and by 20 % in those who only needed supplemental oxygen , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not appear to help less ill patients .
In fact , patients who were given dexamethasone but were not receiving respiratory support died at a higher rate than patients who did not receive the steroid .
A member of staff at a pharmacy in London holds a packet of anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone , which has been hailed as a ground-breaking treatment for hospital patients seriously ill with COVID-19 .
Medical experts have warned against using dexamethasone as a prophylactic measure or too early in the course of the illness .
Steroids such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s immune system response , which can have a negative impact on a coronavirus patient .
“ In the early phase of the illness , the immune system is your friend , ” Dr. Martin Landray , the study ’ s senior author and a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Oxford University , told The New York Times .
“ It ’ s fighting the virus , and dampening it is not a good idea.
” “ In the later phase , the immune system is no longer your friend — it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and dampening it down with steroids helps the situation and improves the chance of survival , ” he added .
Some of the most common side effects of dexamethasone are aggression , anxiety , irritability , mental depression , mood changes and trouble thinking , according to the Mayo Clinic .
Though Trump ’ s medical team said during a news conference Sunday that Trump is doing “ very well ” and that they hope to release him from the hospital “ as early as tomorrow , ” some medical experts have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a long road to recovery .
“ It seems like Trump is stable , but remains at high risk , ” Dr. Bob Wachter , chairman of the Department of Medicine at the University of California , San Francisco , tweeted Sunday following the news conference .

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President Donald Trump on Saturday was administered a first dose of dexamethasone, a widely available steroid, to help fight his coronavirus infection, White House physician Sean Conley announced Sunday.
Trump was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday, just hours after revealing he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the virus.
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During the course of his illness, Trump has received a single infusion of an experimental coronavirus treatment developed by the biotech company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals; at least two doses of remdesivir, an antiviral drug that the Food and Drug Administration has authorized for emergency use in hospitalized coronavirus patients; and at least one dose of dexamethasone.
Here’s what we know about dexamethasone:
Dexamethasone is a cheap, widely available steroid that provides relief for inflammation, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is used to treat several different conditions, including arthritis, allergic reactions, breathing problems and skin diseases.
Scientists in the U.K. announced in May that a clinical trial showed dexamethasone improved the chances of survival for critically ill COVID-19 patients.
The trial randomly assigned 2,104 patients to receive the drug and compared their experience with 4,321 patients who underwent normal treatment. The drug was administered either orally or intravenously.
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Dexamethasone reduced deaths by 35% in patients who required breathing machines during their treatment and by 20% in those who only needed supplemental oxygen, according to the scientists.
The drug, however, did not appear to help less ill patients. In fact, patients who were given dexamethasone but were not receiving respiratory support died at a higher rate than patients who did not receive the steroid.
A member of staff at a pharmacy in London holds a packet of anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone, which has been hailed as a ground-breaking treatment for hospital patients seriously ill with COVID-19. Yui Mok - PA Images via Getty Images
Medical experts have warned against using dexamethasone as a prophylactic measure or too early in the course of the illness. Steroids such as dexamethasone help block a body’s immune system response, which can have a negative impact on a coronavirus patient.
“In the early phase of the illness, the immune system is your friend,” Dr. Martin Landray, the study’s senior author and a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Oxford University, told The New York Times. “It’s fighting the virus, and dampening it is not a good idea.”
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“In the later phase, the immune system is no longer your friend — it’s responsible for the lungs failing, and dampening it down with steroids helps the situation and improves the chance of survival,” he added.
Some of the most common side effects of dexamethasone are aggression, anxiety, irritability, mental depression, mood changes and trouble thinking, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Though Trump’s medical team said during a news conference Sunday that Trump is doing “very well” and that they hope to release him from the hospital “as early as tomorrow,” some medical experts have said the dexamethasone treatment suggests he may have a long road to recovery.
“It seems like Trump is stable, but remains at high risk,” Dr. Bob Wachter, chairman of the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, tweeted Sunday following the news conference.
Citing Trump’s two reported episodes of below-normal blood oxygen levels, Wachter said the optimism from the president’s doctors “are clearly at Trump’s direction.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-04--Trump Adviser Accuses Biden Of Using His Mask As A Political 'Prop'

Jason Miller , a senior adviser to President Donald Trump ’ s reelection campaign , criticized how frequently Joe Biden wears a face mask to help stop the spread of the coronavirus , claiming that the former vice president and 2020 frontrunner uses the item “ as a prop ” even as Trump remains hospitalized for the virus .
“ I think too often he ’ s used the mask as a prop .
A mask is very important , but even if he ’ s ― he could be 20 , 30 feet away from the nearest person and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not going to change anything that ’ s out there , ” Miller told ABC News ’ George Stephanopoulos on Sunday .
Miller further defended Trump ’ s frequent decision not to wear a mask at events , arguing that the president wears one when he doesn ’ t believe he can socially distance .
Trump pulled out a mask at Tuesday ’ s debate and said that he wears a mask “ when I think I need it.
” Miller ’ s comments appear to ignore the guidance of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which advised that people wear face masks whenever in a public setting , adding that they are not a substitute for social distancing .
The CDC also advised that people maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet from anyone with whom they do not live in order to help prevent the virus ’ s spread .
Days after Tuesday ’ s debate , Trump revealed that he tested positive for the virus .
The news came hours after he attended a campaign fundraiser in New Jersey on Thursday .
Trump was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 206 people attended Thursday ’ s fundraiser , according to the New Jersey Department of Health , which on Sunday advised anyone who attended and came in close contact with others to self-quarantine .
“ President Trump is one of the most tested people in the entire country .
And there ’ s a lot that we still don ’ t know about this virus , ” Miller said .
“ Folks who come to our rallies , for example , their temperatures are all checked .
They ’ re given masks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well .
We ’ ve done that in the past .
We ’ re going to continue doing that as we go forward.
” He went on to encourage people to continue to attend the political rallies and events — advice that runs counter to findings by most health care professionals that events with large crowds pose the highest risk of coronavirus transmission .
He likened their participation to the importance of scientists going out and developing a vaccine .
“ We can ’ t all just stay in our basement for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to get out there and live our lives and take this on , develop the vaccine , develop more therapeutics , and defeat it , ” he said .
“ I think that tells you a lot of what you need to know about how the Trump campaign has treated this from the outset , ” she told Stephanopoulos in a later interview .
“ Joe Biden believes that the words of a president matter , that the actions of a president matter .
From the outset , he has taken this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear ― to wear masks to protect each other , ” she said .
“ He believes strongly that the role of the president is to lead and is to lead by example .
And I think Americans are looking for that kind of reassurance .
We ’ re obviously in an incredibly chaotic , disruptive time in this country.
” As of Sunday , at least 12 Republicans in Trump ’ s inner circle have tested positive for the coronavirus .
Many of them attended an event in the White House Rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court seat vacated by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .

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Jason Miller, a senior adviser to President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, criticized how frequently Joe Biden wears a face mask to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, claiming that the former vice president and 2020 frontrunner uses the item “as a prop” even as Trump remains hospitalized for the virus.
“I think too often he’s used the mask as a prop. A mask is very important, but even if he’s ― he could be 20, 30 feet away from the nearest person and still have the mask on. That’s not going to change anything that’s out there,” Miller told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on Sunday.
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Miller further defended Trump’s frequent decision not to wear a mask at events, arguing that the president wears one when he doesn’t believe he can socially distance. Trump pulled out a mask at Tuesday’s debate and said that he wears a mask “when I think I need it.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden removes his face mask as he arrives to speak at a campaign event in August. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Miller’s comments appear to ignore the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which advised that people wear face masks whenever in a public setting, adding that they are not a substitute for social distancing.
The CDC also advised that people maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet from anyone with whom they do not live in order to help prevent the virus’s spread.
Days after Tuesday’s debate, Trump revealed that he tested positive for the virus. The news came hours after he attended a campaign fundraiser in New Jersey on Thursday. Trump was hospitalized the following day.
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At least 206 people attended Thursday’s fundraiser, according to the New Jersey Department of Health, which on Sunday advised anyone who attended and came in close contact with others to self-quarantine.
“President Trump is one of the most tested people in the entire country. And there’s a lot that we still don’t know about this virus,” Miller said. “Folks who come to our rallies, for example, their temperatures are all checked. They’re given masks. They’re urged to be careful as well. We’ve done that in the past. We’re going to continue doing that as we go forward.”
He went on to encourage people to continue to attend the political rallies and events — advice that runs counter to findings by most health care professionals that events with large crowds pose the highest risk of coronavirus transmission. He likened their participation to the importance of scientists going out and developing a vaccine.
A a group consisting largely of Trump supporters gathers outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland on Sunday. ALEX EDELMAN via Getty Images
“We can’t all just stay in our basement for the rest of our lives. We have to get out there and live our lives and take this on, develop the vaccine, develop more therapeutics, and defeat it,” he said.
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Kate Bedingfield, Biden’s deputy campaign manager, said Miller’s comments summarized the Trump campaign’s view of the pandemic in a nutshell.
“I think that tells you a lot of what you need to know about how the Trump campaign has treated this from the outset,” she told Stephanopoulos in a later interview.
Trump holds up his face mask during the first presidential debate on Tuesday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
“Joe Biden believes that the words of a president matter, that the actions of a president matter. From the outset, he has taken this seriously. He has encouraged Americans to wear ― to wear masks to protect each other,” she said. “He believes strongly that the role of the president is to lead and is to lead by example. And I think Americans are looking for that kind of reassurance. We’re obviously in an incredibly chaotic, disruptive time in this country.”
As of Sunday, at least 12 Republicans in Trump’s inner circle have tested positive for the coronavirus. Many of them attended an event in the White House Rose Garden on Sept. 26, when Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court seat vacated by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-04--Trump's Blood Oxygen Level Dropped Below Normal Twice, White House Doctor Says

Doctors have reported that some seriously ill coronavirus patients can have critically low levels of blood oxygen , but may not report feeling out of breath .
In response to the second blood oxygen level drop , Trump ’ s medical team administered dexamethasone , a steroid that has been shown to save the lives of people seriously ill with COVID-19 in a clinical trial .
Despite these two incidents , Trump ’ s condition is continuing to improve , Conley said during a news conference .
Trump ’ s medical team said they ’ re hoping to discharge the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conley said Trump was doing “ well ” late Thursday into early Friday and showed only mild symptoms at that time .
But by late Friday morning , Trump had a high fever , and his blood oxygen level dipped below 94 % , Conley said .
Trump was then given supplemental oxygen for “ about an hour , ” despite the president insisting he didn ’ t need it , Conley said .
On Friday , he also received a single infusion of an experimental coronavirus treatment developed by the biotech company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to maximize everything that we could do for him , ” Conley said .
“ We debated whether we ’ d even start it ― the dexamethasone ― and we decided that , in this case , the potential benefits early on in the course probably outweighed any risks at this time.
” Conley said he wasn ’ t sure whether Trump received supplemental oxygen on Saturday but that if the president did , “ It was very limited.
” As of Sunday morning , Trump ’ s blood oxygen level was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president on Saturday also completed his second dose of remdesivir , an antiviral drug authorized by the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use in treating hospitalized coronavirus patients .
Trump hasn ’ t had a fever since Friday , his medical team said during the news conference Sunday .
He was walking around the presidential suite of Walter Reed without issue earlier in the day , one of his doctors said .
He was also evasive when asked whether Trump ’ s blood oxygen level ever dropped below 90 % .
Conley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any recordings here of that ” and later added that the level “ wasn ’ t down into the low 80s or anything.
” After Trump ’ s doctors on Saturday provided an optimistic update on Trump ’ s condition during their first news conference since his hospitalization , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters that Trump ’ s symptoms were actually “ very concerning.
” During the news conference Saturday , Conley had also danced around questions about whether Trump was ever administered supplemental oxygen during the course of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was previously reluctant to disclose that course of action , Conley said he had been “ trying to reflect the upbeat attitude ” of the president .
“ I didn ’ t want to give any information that might steer the course of the illness in another direction , ” Conley said .
“ And in doing so , you know , it came off that we were trying to hide something , which wasn ’ t necessarily true .
The fact of the matter is , is that he ’ s doing @ @ @ @

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President Donald Trump’s blood oxygen level has twice dipped below 95% — an important threshold — including a transient dip to 93% on Saturday, White House physician Sean Conley said Sunday. A normal blood oxygen level ― which indicates the oxygen saturation of someone’s blood ― usually ranges from 95% to 100%, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Doctors have reported that some seriously ill coronavirus patients can have critically low levels of blood oxygen, but may not report feeling out of breath.
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In response to the second blood oxygen level drop, Trump’s medical team administered dexamethasone, a steroid that has been shown to save the lives of people seriously ill with COVID-19 in a clinical trial.
Despite these two incidents, Trump’s condition is continuing to improve, Conley said during a news conference. Trump’s medical team said they’re hoping to discharge the president “as early as tomorrow.”
Trump was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday, just hours after revealing he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19.
Conley said Trump was doing “well” late Thursday into early Friday and showed only mild symptoms at that time. But by late Friday morning, Trump had a high fever, and his blood oxygen level dipped below 94%, Conley said.
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Trump was then given supplemental oxygen for “about an hour,” despite the president insisting he didn’t need it, Conley said. On Friday, he also received a single infusion of an experimental coronavirus treatment developed by the biotech company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
Shortly thereafter, Trump was transported to Walter Reed.
After Trump’s blood oxygen level dipped again on Saturday ― this time to 93% ― his doctors made the decision to administer a first dose of dexamethasone.
“We’re trying to maximize everything that we could do for him,” Conley said. “We debated whether we’d even start it ― the dexamethasone ― and we decided that, in this case, the potential benefits early on in the course probably outweighed any risks at this time.”
Conley said he wasn’t sure whether Trump received supplemental oxygen on Saturday but that if the president did, “It was very limited.” As of Sunday morning, Trump’s blood oxygen level was 98%, Conley said.
The president on Saturday also completed his second dose of remdesivir, an antiviral drug authorized by the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use in treating hospitalized coronavirus patients.
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Trump hasn’t had a fever since Friday, his medical team said during the news conference Sunday. He was walking around the presidential suite of Walter Reed without issue earlier in the day, one of his doctors said.
Trump’s age and weight — he’s considered obese by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines — put him at higher risk of serious illness due to the virus.
When asked Sunday if any X-rays or medical imaging showed signs of pneumonia or damage to Trump’s lungs, Conley wouldn’t say.
“There’s some expected findings but nothing of any major clinical concern,” Conley told reporters.
He was also evasive when asked whether Trump’s blood oxygen level ever dropped below 90%. Conley said he doesn’t “have any recordings here of that” and later added that the level “wasn’t down into the low 80s or anything.”
After Trump’s doctors on Saturday provided an optimistic update on Trump’s condition during their first news conference since his hospitalization, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters that Trump’s symptoms were actually “very concerning.”
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Conley said Sunday that he believed Meadows statement was “misconstrued.”
During the news conference Saturday, Conley had also danced around questions about whether Trump was ever administered supplemental oxygen during the course of his treatment. Asked Sunday why he was previously reluctant to disclose that course of action, Conley said he had been “trying to reflect the upbeat attitude” of the president.
“I didn’t want to give any information that might steer the course of the illness in another direction,” Conley said. “And in doing so, you know, it came off that we were trying to hide something, which wasn’t necessarily true. The fact of the matter is, is that he’s doing really well.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-04--Trump Campaign Aide Defends First Family's Refusal To Wear Masks At Debate

An adviser to President Donald Trump ’ s campaign on Sunday defended the first family ’ s decision not to wear masks during the presidential debate on Tuesday , which flouted rules set by the event ’ s host and agreed to by Trump ’ s campaign .
During an exchange on “ Fox News Sunday , ” host Chris Wallace , who also moderated the debate Tuesday , told Trump campaign adviser Steve Cortes that the rules about wearing masks “ could not have been more clear.
” “ Everyone in the audience was to wear a mask , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security rules set by the Commission on Presidential Debates and the Cleveland Clinic , and agreed to by the campaigns for Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Though first lady Melania Trump and four of Trump ’ s children ― Donald Trump Jr. , Eric Trump , Tiffany Trump and White House senior adviser Ivanka Trump ― were seen walking into the debate Tuesday wearing masks , they removed them after being seated .
“ The president and former vice president and I were the only ones exempt from that , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family came in , they all took off their masks .
So did the White House chief of staff , Mark Meadows .
Do they think that the health and safety rules for everybody else do not apply to them ?
” But Wallace interrupted , stating that it “ doesn ’ t matter ” that the Trumps had been tested because the Cleveland Clinic , the health security adviser for the debate , stated that everyone in the audience had to be tested and wear a mask .
Wallaces said a Cleveland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wear during the debate , but the family “ waved away ” the official .
The Commission of Presidential Debates will now escort out any audience member who refuses to wear a mask during upcoming debates , Wallace said .
“ Everybody was told to wear a mask , ” Wallace told Cortes .
“ Why did the first family and the chief of staff feel that the rules for everybody else didn ’ t apply to them ?
” “ We believe that masks are very useful , ” Cortes responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on many occasions ... We believe in masks .
We also believe in some element of individual choice .
People were distanced and they had been tested.
” Wallace continued to push back : “ No , Steve , they weren ’ t distanced , and there were rules , and there was no freedom of choice .
They broke the rules .
... Why did they break the rules ?
” “ Chris , the way you ’ re starting to harangue me now actually reminds me of what you did to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night , ” Cortes said .
“ He had to debate not just Joe Biden but you as well .
...
I welcome reasonable questions but what I don ’ t think is OK is for you to become the effective opposition to the president.
” Following the debate , which was universally panned by political commentators and cable news hosts , the CPD announced it would change the format of the remaining debates to “ ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues.
” On Friday , Trump announced that he and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
Trump ’ s doctors said the president was doing “ very well ” on Saturday .
A day earlier , Trump ’ s blood oxygen level “ rapidly dropped ” and he had a fever , causing the president ’ s doctors to be “ very concerned , ” Meadows said Saturday .
“ This president is going to recover , ” Cortes said .
“ We are highly confident of that .
And again , he is a fighter in every sense of the word , and he is @ @ @ @ @

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An adviser to President Donald Trump’s campaign on Sunday defended the first family’s decision not to wear masks during the presidential debate on Tuesday, which flouted rules set by the event’s host and agreed to by Trump’s campaign.
During an exchange on “Fox News Sunday,” host Chris Wallace, who also moderated the debate Tuesday, told Trump campaign adviser Steve Cortes that the rules about wearing masks “could not have been more clear.”
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“Everyone in the audience was to wear a mask,” Wallace said, referring to health security rules set by the Commission on Presidential Debates and the Cleveland Clinic, and agreed to by the campaigns for Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Though first lady Melania Trump and four of Trump’s children ― Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump and White House senior adviser Ivanka Trump ― were seen walking into the debate Tuesday wearing masks, they removed them after being seated.
“The president and former vice president and I were the only ones exempt from that,” Wallace continued. “After the first family came in, they all took off their masks. So did the White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows. Do they think that the health and safety rules for everybody else do not apply to them?”
From left to right: Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump, Melania Trump, Tiffany Trump and Donald Tump Jr. are seen without masks at the first 2020 presidential debate held Tuesday in Cleveland, Ohio. Fox News Sunday
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Cortes denied that the Trump family believed the rules did not apply to them.
“No, that’s not the reality,” Cortes said. “Look, everybody was tested before that event ... ”
But Wallace interrupted, stating that it “doesn’t matter” that the Trumps had been tested because the Cleveland Clinic, the health security adviser for the debate, stated that everyone in the audience had to be tested and wear a mask.
Wallaces said a Cleveland Clinic official had offered the Trumps masks to wear during the debate, but the family “waved away” the official. The Commission of Presidential Debates will now escort out any audience member who refuses to wear a mask during upcoming debates, Wallace said.
“Everybody was told to wear a mask,” Wallace told Cortes. “Why did the first family and the chief of staff feel that the rules for everybody else didn’t apply to them?”
Cortes said that while the Trump campaign believes that masks are “useful,” the campaign also believes “in some element of individual choice.”
“We believe that masks are very useful,” Cortes responded. “The president has worn them on many occasions ... We believe in masks. We also believe in some element of individual choice. People were distanced and they had been tested.”
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Wallace continued to push back: “No, Steve, they weren’t distanced, and there were rules, and there was no freedom of choice. They broke the rules. ... Why did they break the rules?”
Cortes continued to stand by the Trump family’s decision to flout the rules before accusing Wallace of attacking him.
“Chris, the way you’re starting to harangue me now actually reminds me of what you did to the president during that debate on Tuesday night,” Cortes said. “He had to debate not just Joe Biden but you as well. ... I welcome reasonable questions but what I don’t think is OK is for you to become the effective opposition to the president.”
Wallace objected to the allegation, stating that Trump interrupted Biden and himself 145 times during the course of Tuesday’s debate.
Following the debate, which was universally panned by political commentators and cable news hosts, the CPD announced it would change the format of the remaining debates to “ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues.”
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On Friday, Trump announced that he and the first lady had tested positive for the coronavirus. Trump’s doctors said the president was doing “very well” on Saturday. A day earlier, Trump’s blood oxygen level “rapidly dropped” and he had a fever, causing the president’s doctors to be “very concerned,” Meadows said Saturday.
Cortes said Trump’s senior campaign staff spoke to the president by phone on Saturday and that he seemed “upbeat” and “assertive” at the time.
“This president is going to recover,” Cortes said. “We are highly confident of that. And again, he is a fighter in every sense of the word, and he is doing really well.”
Watch Cortes’ full appearance on “Fox News Sunday” below. His remarks about the debate begin around the 6-minute mark.
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-04--Trump Faces Credibility Crisis Over Health Scare

The president ’ s coronavirus infection , as well as the illnesses of several aides and allies , has imperiled the highest levels of the U.S. government .
The White House ’ s efforts Saturday to project calm backfired in stunning fashion , resulting in a blizzard of confusing and contradictory information about the health and well-being of the commander in chief .
It ’ s a moment months in the making , the collision of Trump ’ s repeated defiance of his own administration ’ s guidelines for staying safe during the pandemic and his well-known disregard for facts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans over whom and what to believe about the health of the nation ’ s leader at a perilous moment in U.S. history .
For any president , credibility in a crisis is paramount — the ability to rally Americans of every political persuasion around a commonly accepted understanding of the situation .
For a president on the brink of an election , particularly one held in as tumultuous a year as 2020 , it could be the difference between serving one term or two .
Yet Trump has squandered widespread credibility from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending his first full day in office disputing official tallies of the crowd size at his inauguration and asking Americans to disregard photographic evidence showing that he drew fewer people to the National Mall in Washington than his predecessor .
The episode set the tone for the rest of his administration , with Trump creating alternate realities around issues big and small , amplified by the help of friendly media outlets .
He frequently touts records and milestones that don ’ t exist .
He spreads baseless rumors about his political opponents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his Democratic rival in the 2020 presidential campaign , might be on drugs in their debate .
Yet Trump ’ s credibility has come under even greater scrutiny during the pandemic , the single biggest test of his presidency .
He ’ s repeatedly downplayed the threat of the virus in public , despite telling journalist Bob Woodward privately in February that COVID-19 was more deadly than the flu .
He ’ s floated unverified and harmful treatments , including suggesting Americans could inoculate themselves by injecting bleach .
In April , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. , only 23 % of Americans said they had high levels of trust in the information the president was providing the public about the virus , according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research .
As Election Day draws near , Trump has increasingly flouted public health guidelines and many of the scientists advising his administration , eager to make the case to voters that the worst of the pandemic that upended nearly every aspect of American life is behind them .
For weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding large rallies and hosting events at the White House without social distancing or requiring guests to wear masks .
That includes a crowded ceremony in the Rose Garden last weekend to announce the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett .
Several attendees , including two U.S. senators and first lady Melania Trump , have since announced they have tested positive for coronavirus .
It ’ s not clear how Trump became infected .
He announced on Twitter at 1 a.m. Friday that he and Mrs. Trump had tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was transported via the presidential helicopter to a military hospital just outside of Washington .
The only details the White House provided were that the hospitalization was precautionary and that Trump ’ s symptoms were mild .
On Saturday , the White House tried to fill in the details with a televised briefing by Trump ’ s physician , who painted a sunny picture of the president ’ s situation , emphasizing that he was still working , walking on his own and not laboring to breath .
But Dr. Sean Conley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including repeatedly sidestepping questions about whether the president had at any point required oxygen .
Shortly after , and off camera , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows gave journalists a more troubling depiction .
After describing Trump ’ s symptoms as “ mild ” the previous day , Meadows now said the president ’ s situation had been “ very concerning.
” Though his health was improving , Meadows said the next 48 hours would be critical .
The conflicting information sparked an outcry , even among some Trump allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s team could have been so unprepared for the first major disclosures about his condition .
The White House tried to quell the frustrations on Saturday night , releasing a four-minute video of Trump saying his condition was improving and that he was looking forward to resuming campaign activities soon .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — One month from Election Day, President Donald Trump is facing a credibility crisis as yawning as his health crisis, at a moment when he needs the public’s trust the most.
The president’s coronavirus infection, as well as the illnesses of several aides and allies, has imperiled the highest levels of the U.S. government. The White House’s efforts Saturday to project calm backfired in stunning fashion, resulting in a blizzard of confusing and contradictory information about the health and well-being of the commander in chief.
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It’s a moment months in the making, the collision of Trump’s repeated defiance of his own administration’s guidelines for staying safe during the pandemic and his well-known disregard for facts. The result: deep uncertainty for Americans over whom and what to believe about the health of the nation’s leader at a perilous moment in U.S. history.
“This is bigger than Donald Trump. It’s about the institution of the presidency,” said Robert Gibbs, who served as President Barack Obama’s first White House press secretary.
For any president, credibility in a crisis is paramount — the ability to rally Americans of every political persuasion around a commonly accepted understanding of the situation. For a president on the brink of an election, particularly one held in as tumultuous a year as 2020, it could be the difference between serving one term or two.
Yet Trump has squandered widespread credibility from the very start of his presidency, spending his first full day in office disputing official tallies of the crowd size at his inauguration and asking Americans to disregard photographic evidence showing that he drew fewer people to the National Mall in Washington than his predecessor.
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The episode set the tone for the rest of his administration, with Trump creating alternate realities around issues big and small, amplified by the help of friendly media outlets. He frequently touts records and milestones that don’t exist. He spreads baseless rumors about his political opponents, including declaring without evidence that Joe Biden, his Democratic rival in the 2020 presidential campaign, might be on drugs in their debate.
Yet Trump’s credibility has come under even greater scrutiny during the pandemic, the single biggest test of his presidency. He’s repeatedly downplayed the threat of the virus in public, despite telling journalist Bob Woodward privately in February that COVID-19 was more deadly than the flu. He’s floated unverified and harmful treatments, including suggesting Americans could inoculate themselves by injecting bleach.
In April, just weeks after the pandemic took hold in the U.S., only 23% of Americans said they had high levels of trust in the information the president was providing the public about the virus, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
President Donald Trump gestures as he leaves the White House to go to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after he tested positive for COVID-19, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ASSOCIATED PRESS
As Election Day draws near, Trump has increasingly flouted public health guidelines and many of the scientists advising his administration, eager to make the case to voters that the worst of the pandemic that upended nearly every aspect of American life is behind them.
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For weeks, Trump has been traveling across the country holding large rallies and hosting events at the White House without social distancing or requiring guests to wear masks. That includes a crowded ceremony in the Rose Garden last weekend to announce the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Several attendees, including two U.S. senators and first lady Melania Trump, have since announced they have tested positive for coronavirus.
They, and the president himself, are now among the more than 7 million Americans who have been infected. More than 205,000 Americans have died.
It’s not clear how Trump became infected. He announced on Twitter at 1 a.m. Friday that he and Mrs. Trump had tested positive for the virus; the following evening, he was transported via the presidential helicopter to a military hospital just outside of Washington. The only details the White House provided were that the hospitalization was precautionary and that Trump’s symptoms were mild.
On Saturday, the White House tried to fill in the details with a televised briefing by Trump’s physician, who painted a sunny picture of the president’s situation, emphasizing that he was still working, walking on his own and not laboring to breath. But Dr. Sean Conley notably refused to provide some specific details, including repeatedly sidestepping questions about whether the president had at any point required oxygen.
Shortly after, and off camera, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows gave journalists a more troubling depiction. After describing Trump’s symptoms as “mild” the previous day, Meadows now said the president’s situation had been “very concerning.” Though his health was improving, Meadows said the next 48 hours would be critical.
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A person familiar with the president’s treatment also confirmed that he had required supplemental oxygen Friday morning.
The conflicting information sparked an outcry, even among some Trump allies who privately wondered how the president’s team could have been so unprepared for the first major disclosures about his condition. The White House tried to quell the frustrations on Saturday night, releasing a four-minute video of Trump saying his condition was improving and that he was looking forward to resuming campaign activities soon.
But to those who have grown weary of Trump’s record on transparency and the truth, there was little hope that the coming days would bring a greater level of clarity.
“These are the patterns of this presidency, and for Trump, the patterns of a lifetime,” said Peter Wehner, a Republican who served in President George W. Bush’s administrations and a Trump critic. “There’s no reason to believe he or his inner circle are going to change.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-04--Report: Trump Didn't Disclose First Positive Coronavirus Test During Fox Interview

Tasos Katopodis / Reuters U.S. President Donald Trump wears a mask while visiting Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda , Maryland , U.S. , July 11 , 2020 .
REUTERS/Tasos Katopodis TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY President Donald Trump had already been notified he tested positive for coronavirus by the time he appeared on Fox News for an interview Thursday night , but he didn ’ t disclose that at the time , according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal .
During an interview with Sean Hannity , Trump merely confirmed one of his aides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with coronavirus .
He said he wouldn ’ t receive his results until later that night or the following morning .
WSJ reports Trump had already received a positive coronavirus test by the time he appeared on Hannity ’ s show , and the positive test he announced early Friday morning was the second he ’ d taken .
Trump was admitted to Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday to receive treatment for coronavirus symptoms and endured what White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows called a “ very concerning ” period .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has tried to patch together a timeline of his infection that doesn ’ t depict Trump wantonly spreading a potentially deadly disease at events he attended ― frequently maskless ― throughout the week , including the presidential debate on Tuesday .
The desperate , clumsy effort by Trump administration officials to spin a story favorable to Trump has revealed a cover-up in realtime and added more questions to a national discussion about the president ’ s health .
On Sunday , the physician in charge of Trump ’ s treatment , Dr. Sean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transparent with reporters on Saturday when he refused to answer whether Trump needed supplemental oxygen .
Conley dodged the question multiple times when asked on Saturday , and his excuse on Sunday was that he was “ trying to reflect the upbeat attitude of the team [ and ] the president over the course of his illness.
” Trump is among several Republicans who have announced positive coronavirus diagnoses this weekend .
A number of infected Republicans attended a large ceremony Trump hosted in the Rose Garden on Sept. 26 to announce his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court Justice who died days earlier .
As news surrounding his infection and his precarious health condition has spread , Trump has tried to convey an image of vitality .
In viral images shared by the White House on Twitter , Trump is seen sitting at a table in Walter Reed Medical Center , purportedly working .
Social media users noted it looks as though the photo is staged , with the president signing a blank sheet of paper .
Trump , who is still believed to be infected , left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motorcade Sunday to wave at some of his supporters outside .

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President Donald Trump had already been notified he had tested positive for the coronavirus by the time he appeared on Fox News for an interview Thursday night, but he didn’t disclose it, according to The Wall Street Journal.
During an interview with Sean Hannity, Trump merely confirmed that one of his aides, Hope Hicks, had been diagnosed with coronavirus. He said he wouldn’t receive his results until later that night or the following morning.
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But according to the Journal, Trump had already received a positive coronavirus test by the time he appeared on Hannity’s show, and the test he announced early Friday was the second he’d taken.
Trump was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center later on Friday for what White House chief of staff Mark Meadows called a “very concerning” period.
In the days since, his doctors and administration have tried to patch together a timeline of his illness that masks the likelihood that Trump wantonly spread the disease at events he attended maskless throughout the week, including the presidential debate. But instead of spinning the story to Trump’s favor, the clumsy, contradictory statements added to concerns about the president’s health and judgment.
On Sunday, the physician in charge of Trump’s treatment, Dr. Sean Conley, admitted he wasn’t transparent with reporters a day earlier when he refused to answer whether Trump needed supplemental oxygen. Conley said he was “trying to reflect the upbeat attitude of the team [and] the president over the course of his illness.”
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Trump is among several Republicans who have announced positive coronavirus diagnoses in recent days. A number of infected Republicans attended a large ceremony Trump hosted in the Rose Garden on Sept. 26 to announce his nominee to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Trump, even while hospitalized, has tried to convey an image of vitality.
In viral images shared by the White House on Twitter, Trump is seen sitting at a table in Walter Reed, purportedly working. Social media users noted it looks as though the photo is staged, with the president signing a blank sheet of paper.
Trump left Walter Reed briefly in a motorcade on Sunday to wave at some of his supporters outside, potentially exposing Secret Service agents inside the vehicle to the virus.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-04--Sen. Pat Toomey Won't Run For Reelection Or For Pennsylvania Governor: Reports

HARRISBURG , Pa. ( AP ) — Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania , a fiercely anti-tax and anti-regulation lawmaker who never entirely warmed to President Donald Trump , will not seek re-election in 2022 , according to a person with direct knowledge of Toomey ’ s plans .
But the biggest surprise is that , Toomey , 58 , will not run for governor in 2022 , when the seat becomes open , said the person , who did not want to be named divulging information from private conversations before Toomey announces it publicly .
Toomey , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential battleground state , will make the announcement Monday , the person said .
His office scheduled an announcement for 10 a.m. in Bethlehem , near Toomey ’ s home in suburban Allentown .
The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported Toomey ’ s plans .
The timing of Toomey ’ s announcement — in the middle of the presidential election — and his reasons for not running again were a mystery Sunday , even to many Republican insiders .
Toomey is a stalwart proponent of free markets and smaller government who was staunchly supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charles and David Koch and the Club for Growth , the take-no-prisoners free-markets advocacy group Toomey used to head .
As Pennsylvania ’ s only statewide elected Republican official , outside of the courts , he had been widely considered the shoo-in nominee if he decided to run for governor in 2022 , when Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf is term-limited .
“ I think he would have been the strong favorite , among party people ” to run for governor , said Christopher Nicholas , a veteran Republican campaign strategist in Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was going to be the nominee to succeed him in the Senate .
The governor ’ s thing was sort of a foregone conclusion if Toomey wants it .
Of course you go with him , someone who has has name ID , money in the bank , a proven track record .
All those things.
” For instance , he sponsored legislation to expand background checks on guns , a measure that could not get out of the Senate , even when packaged with provisions that gun rights groups had long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran TV ads showing a 3-year-old video of then-President Barack Obama praising Toomey for sponsoring the legislation .
Toomey , a Harvard-educated policy wonk and former investment banker , is rarely seen with Trump when the president visits the battleground state , and Toomey refused to say who he would vote for in 2016′s presidential election until he voted , an hour before polls closed .
He has never been an eager defender of Trump ’ s personality or foreign policy , and he has been absent on the campaign trail for Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target of an angry Trump tweet , including one in January calling him a “ RINO ” — Republican in name only — after Toomey criticized Trump ’ s commutation of the sentence of Roger Stone .
He lost , and left office under a self-imposed term limit .
But he returned in 2010 , when Specter had lost favor with the party over his critical vote to secure Senate backing for then-President Barack Obama ’ s recession rescue package .
Toomey has never won easily .
In 2010 , he won by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he won by slightly less than that in what was then the most expensive race in U.S. Senate history .

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, a fiercely anti-tax and anti-regulation lawmaker who never entirely warmed to President Donald Trump, will not seek re-election in 2022, according to a person with direct knowledge of Toomey’s plans.
But the biggest surprise is that, Toomey, 58, will not run for governor in 2022, when the seat becomes open, said the person, who did not want to be named divulging information from private conversations before Toomey announces it publicly.
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Toomey, who is serving his second term in the presidential battleground state, will make the announcement Monday, the person said. His office scheduled an announcement for 10 a.m. in Bethlehem, near Toomey’s home in suburban Allentown.
A spokesperson at Toomey’s Senate office declined comment Sunday when asked whether the senator will announce that he is not running again.
The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported Toomey’s plans. The timing of Toomey’s announcement — in the middle of the presidential election — and his reasons for not running again were a mystery Sunday, even to many Republican insiders.
Toomey is a stalwart proponent of free markets and smaller government who was staunchly supported in the past by the billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch and the Club for Growth, the take-no-prisoners free-markets advocacy group Toomey used to head.
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But Toomey had often expressed frustration with how the Senate operates and had never promised to run for a third term.
As Pennsylvania’s only statewide elected Republican official, outside of the courts, he had been widely considered the shoo-in nominee if he decided to run for governor in 2022, when Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is term-limited.
Toomey had long expressed an interest in running for governor.
Now, Republicans in Pennsylvania will be tasked with finding nominees for both seats in a state where Democrats have a registration advantage.
“I think he would have been the strong favorite, among party people” to run for governor, said Christopher Nicholas, a veteran Republican campaign strategist in Pennsylvania. “The talk was more about who was going to be the nominee to succeed him in the Senate. The governor’s thing was sort of a foregone conclusion if Toomey wants it. Of course you go with him, someone who has has name ID, money in the bank, a proven track record. All those things.”
While Toomey walked the Republican walk on cutting taxes and spending, outlawing abortion and advocating for public school alternatives, he also crossed lines that some Republicans haven’t dared to cross.
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For instance, he sponsored legislation to expand background checks on guns, a measure that could not get out of the Senate, even when packaged with provisions that gun rights groups had long sought. In 2016′s election, he ran TV ads showing a 3-year-old video of then-President Barack Obama praising Toomey for sponsoring the legislation.
Toomey, a Harvard-educated policy wonk and former investment banker, is rarely seen with Trump when the president visits the battleground state, and Toomey refused to say who he would vote for in 2016′s presidential election until he voted, an hour before polls closed.
He has never been an eager defender of Trump’s personality or foreign policy, and he has been absent on the campaign trail for Trump.
He also occasionally has been the target of an angry Trump tweet, including one in January calling him a “RINO” — Republican in name only — after Toomey criticized Trump’s commutation of the sentence of Roger Stone.
To become Pennsylvania’s most-senior Republican office-holder, Toomey had to go from party maverick to party stalwart.
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A three-term congressman from the Allentown area in 2004, Toomey went against the party to take on then-U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter in the 2004 Republican primary.
He lost, and left office under a self-imposed term limit. But he returned in 2010, when Specter had lost favor with the party over his critical vote to secure Senate backing for then-President Barack Obama’s recession rescue package.
Toomey has never won easily. In 2010, he won by 2 percentage points and, in 2016, he won by slightly less than that in what was then the most expensive race in U.S. Senate history.
Democrats have often accused Toomey of fighting for Wall Street and the wealthy, and the Democratic Party on Sunday said Toomey is bowing out because of lousy approval ratings.
“Pat Toomey has spent his entire term working for special interests, trying to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, and giving handouts to the ultra-wealthy,” Brendan Welch, a Pennsylvania Democratic Party spokesperson, said in a statement. “By not seeking re-election, Pat Toomey has finally done something that benefits his constituents.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-04--New York City Will Again Close Schools, Some Businesses In Areas With Coronavirus Spikes

Spencer Platt via Getty Images Residents walk through the Brooklyn neighborhood of Borough Park on Sept. 23 in New York City .
Borough Park is one of numerous Brooklyn neighborhoods that are witnessing a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases as NYC overall continues to trend down to under a 1 % infection rate .
On Sunday , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ( D ) announced schools and nonessential businesses in nine New York City ZIP codes will have to close temporarily as the areas face worrying spikes in coronavirus cases .
The closures , set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first major reversal in the city ’ s reopening plans since the pandemic forced shutdowns in March .
“ We now have nine ZIP codes in Brooklyn and Queens that have been above a 3 % positivity level for seven consecutive days or more , ” de Blasio said during a Sunday press conference .
“ That measure tells us that we have to take more extensive action.
” The mayor said the ZIP codes represent roughly a half-million people in total .
Some of the ZIP codes de Blasio highlighted have coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said the city as a whole “ continues to have a low positivity level.
” The indefinite shutdowns in neighborhoods facing seven-day spikes will impact private and public schools , de Blasio said , and any restaurants in these areas will now only be allowed to serve food for pickup .
In 11 other ZIP codes where the positivity rate is currently hovering around 3 % , de Blasio said he plans to prevent high-risk activities by temporarily closing gyms , suspending indoor dining and shutting down pools .
Indoor dining in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 25 % capacity .
De Blasio said his plan for temporary closures requires approval from the state .
As more areas were added to New York City ’ s list of coronavirus hotspots on Thursday and Friday , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) said there could be repercussions for local governments that don ’ t enforce coronavirus safety measures .
“ If local governments don ’ t step up compliance , they can actually be in violation of the law and they can be fined , ” Cuomo said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Yorkers to “ stay vigilant ” in protecting themselves from a virus health officials believe will make a resurgence this fall and winter .

Residents walk through the Brooklyn neighborhood of Borough Park on Sept. 23 in New York City. Borough Park is one of numerous Brooklyn neighborhoods that are witnessing a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases as NYC overall continues to trend down to under a 1% infection rate. Spencer Platt via Getty Images
On Sunday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced schools and nonessential businesses in nine New York City ZIP codes will have to close temporarily as the areas face worrying spikes in coronavirus cases. The closures, set to begin Oct. 7, mark the first major reversal in the city’s reopening plans since the pandemic forced shutdowns in March.
“We now have nine ZIP codes in Brooklyn and Queens that have been above a 3% positivity level for seven consecutive days or more,” de Blasio said during a Sunday press conference. “That measure tells us that we have to take more extensive action.” The mayor said the ZIP codes represent roughly a half-million people in total.
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Some of the ZIP codes de Blasio highlighted have coronavirus positivity rates nearing 9%, although he said the city as a whole “continues to have a low positivity level.” The indefinite shutdowns in neighborhoods facing seven-day spikes will impact private and public schools, de Blasio said, and any restaurants in these areas will now only be allowed to serve food for pickup. In 11 other ZIP codes where the positivity rate is currently hovering around 3%, de Blasio said he plans to prevent high-risk activities by temporarily closing gyms, suspending indoor dining and shutting down pools. Indoor dining in New York City began on Sept. 30 at 25% capacity.
De Blasio said his plan for temporary closures requires approval from the state. As more areas were added to New York City’s list of coronavirus hotspots on Thursday and Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said there could be repercussions for local governments that don’t enforce coronavirus safety measures.
“If local governments don’t step up compliance, they can actually be in violation of the law and they can be fined,” Cuomo said. In a Saturday statement, Cuomo implored New Yorkers to “stay vigilant” in protecting themselves from a virus health officials believe will make a resurgence this fall and winter.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--As Cold Weather Arrives, U.S. States See Record Increases In COVID-19 Cases

( Reuters ) — Nine U.S. states have reported record increases in COVID-19 cases over the last seven days , mostly in the upper Midwest and West where chilly weather is forcing more activities indoors .
On Saturday alone , four states — Kentucky , Minnesota , Montana and Wisconsin — saw record increases in new cases and nationally nearly 49,000 new infections were reported , the highest for a Saturday in seven weeks , according to a Reuters analysis .
Kansas , Nebraska , New Hampshire , South Dakota and Wyoming also set new records for cases last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 states where cases have not risen greatly over the past two weeks , according to a Reuters analysis .
However , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday he is moving to shut non-essential businesses as well as schools in nine neighborhoods , starting on Wednesday .
The lockdown would require the governor ’ s approval .
Health experts have long warned that colder temperatures driving people inside could promote the spread of the virus .
Daytime highs in the upper Midwest are now in the 50s Fahrenheit ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record numbers of new cases for three out of the last four days and also has a record number of COVID-19 patients in its hospitals .
Wisconsin has set records for new cases two out of the last three days and also reported record hospitalizations on Saturday .
On average 22 % of tests are coming back positive , one of the highest rates in the country .
Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson is one of several prominent Republicans who have tested positive for coronavirus since President Donald Trump announced he had contracted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in the Midwest , nursing homes and assisted-living facilities operated by Aspirus in northern Wisconsin and Michigan are barring most visitors as they did earlier this year .
Bellin Health , which runs a hospital in Green Bay , Wisconsin , said last week its emergency department has been past capacity at times and doctors had to place patients in beds in the hallways .
The United States is reporting 42,600 new cases and 700 deaths on average each day , compared with 35,000 cases and 800 deaths in mid-September .
Deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise several weeks after cases increase .
Kentucky is the first Southern state to report a record increase in cases in several weeks .
Governor Andy Beshear said last week was the highest number of cases the state has seen since the pandemic started .
State health experts have not pinpointed the reason for the rise but point to fatigue with COVID-19 precautions and students returning to schools and colleges .
Over the last two weeks , Kentucky has reported nearly 11,000 new cases and has seen hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients rise by @ @ @

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(Reuters) — Nine U.S. states have reported record increases in COVID-19 cases over the last seven days, mostly in the upper Midwest and West where chilly weather is forcing more activities indoors.
On Saturday alone, four states — Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin — saw record increases in new cases and nationally nearly 49,000 new infections were reported, the highest for a Saturday in seven weeks, according to a Reuters analysis. Kansas, Nebraska, New Hampshire, South Dakota and Wyoming also set new records for cases last week.
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New York is one of only 18 states where cases have not risen greatly over the past two weeks, according to a Reuters analysis. However, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday he is moving to shut non-essential businesses as well as schools in nine neighborhoods, starting on Wednesday. The lockdown would require the governor’s approval.
Health experts have long warned that colder temperatures driving people inside could promote the spread of the virus. Daytime highs in the upper Midwest are now in the 50s Fahrenheit (10 Celsius).
Montana has reported record numbers of new cases for three out of the last four days and also has a record number of COVID-19 patients in its hospitals.
Wisconsin has set records for new cases two out of the last three days and also reported record hospitalizations on Saturday. On average 22% of tests are coming back positive, one of the highest rates in the country.
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Wisconsin’s Democratic governor mandated masks on Aug. 1 but Republican lawmakers are backing a lawsuit challenging the requirement.
North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin have the highest new cases per capita in the country.
Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson is one of several prominent Republicans who have tested positive for coronavirus since President Donald Trump announced he had contracted the virus.
Because of the surge in cases in the Midwest, nursing homes and assisted-living facilities operated by Aspirus in northern Wisconsin and Michigan are barring most visitors as they did earlier this year.
Bellin Health, which runs a hospital in Green Bay, Wisconsin, said last week its emergency department has been past capacity at times and doctors had to place patients in beds in the hallways.
The United States is reporting 42,600 new cases and 700 deaths on average each day, compared with 35,000 cases and 800 deaths in mid-September. Deaths are a lagging indicator and tend to rise several weeks after cases increase.
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Kentucky is the first Southern state to report a record increase in cases in several weeks. Governor Andy Beshear said last week was the highest number of cases the state has seen since the pandemic started.
State health experts have not pinpointed the reason for the rise but point to fatigue with COVID-19 precautions and students returning to schools and colleges. Over the last two weeks, Kentucky has reported nearly 11,000 new cases and has seen hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients rise by 20%.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-05--Lana Del Rey Wears Mesh Mask To Meet Fans, Critics Get In Her Face

Five-time Grammy nominee Lana Del Rey didn ’ t win any awards for her face-covering at a public reading of her new book .
The “ Young and Beautiful ” singer wore a mesh face mask that apparently exposed her nose and mouth in violation of local coronavirus guidelines as she got close to attendees .
Del Rey promoted her collection of poetry , “ Violet Bent Backwards Over The Grass , ” with an appearance Friday at a Barnes & Noble in Los Angeles .
Fans posted photos of themselves well within 6 feet of the performer and even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people on social media .
“ ur setting urself up at this point we cant defend you , ” one wrote on the Instagram Live post .
Others fumed on Twitter , calling her “ pathetic ” and her move “ serious foolishness.
” “ COME ON !
!
!
Is science class really that f-ing hard ?
!
?
” one user wrote .
Del Rey ’ s sister Caroline said the singer had “ tested negative ” and was standing “ more than 6 feet away ” from others , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was not the case .
USA Today noted that Del Rey was flouting LA County COVID-19 guidance , which asks citizens to wear a face covering over nose and mouth when in public and others are nearby .
However , some speculated that Del Rey wore a transparent lining behind the fishnet mask .
Del Rey did not appear to address the criticism over the weekend .
HuffPost did not immediately hear back after a request for comment early Monday .

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Five-time Grammy nominee Lana Del Rey didn’t win any awards for her face-covering at a public reading of her new book.
The “Young and Beautiful” singer wore a mesh face mask that apparently exposed her nose and mouth in violation of local coronavirus guidelines as she got close to attendees.
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Del Rey promoted her collection of poetry, “Violet Bent Backwards Over The Grass,” with an appearance Friday at a Barnes & Noble in Los Angeles.
Fans posted photos of themselves well within 6 feet of the performer and even cheek to cheek, prompting backlash from people on social media.
“ur setting urself up at this point we cant defend you,” one wrote on the Instagram Live post.
“lana please wear a real mask i’m begging you be safe,” a concerned fan wrote.
Others fumed on Twitter, calling her “pathetic” and her move “serious foolishness.” “COME ON!!! Is science class really that f-ing hard?!?” one user wrote.
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Some even referenced her 2012 album “Born To Die.”
Del Rey’s sister Caroline said the singer had “tested negative” and was standing “more than 6 feet away” from others, the U.K.’s Independent reported, but that was not the case.
NOT LANA DEL RAY WEARING A MESH MASK AT A MEET & GREET pic.twitter.com/3Qcyg5ZDEk — tea sesh 🎃 (@TeaSeshYT) October 3, 2020
Lana Del Rey em noite de autógrafos na 'Barnes&Nobles' pic.twitter.com/jvEHwDHBu2 — Lana Del Rey Daily (@LDRdailybr) October 3, 2020
Lana Del Rey enquanto deixava 'Barnes And Noble'. ❤ pic.twitter.com/B2WdC2SwE0 — Lana Del Rey Daily (@LDRdailybr) October 3, 2020
USA Today noted that Del Rey was flouting LA County COVID-19 guidance, which asks citizens to wear a face covering over nose and mouth when in public and others are nearby. However, some speculated that Del Rey wore a transparent lining behind the fishnet mask.
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Del Rey did not appear to address the criticism over the weekend. HuffPost did not immediately hear back after a request for comment early Monday.