theguardian--2020-10-04--Panic and confusion permeate White House following Trump's Covid diagnosis

Golden autumn sunshine shone down on Washington on Saturday to illuminate a US capital upended as Donald Trump began his first full day in hospital battling coronavirus amid a presidential election thrown into chaos .
Just hours earlier , on Friday evening after an excruciating wait for news , the president had emerged from the White House with a lacklustre wave and thumbs up , but ignoring reporters ’ shouted questions about the state of his health .
Trump stalked slowly across the south lawn and boarded the US presidential helicopter .
The only visual clue that something profound had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was wearing a mask .
As Marine One lifted into the sky just before sunset , the president left behind a White House staff suddenly rudderless , fearful and unsure how the story will end .
The reality TV star turned president has delivered his greatest moment of suspense and the presidential election with its first “ October surprise ” but maybe not its last .
Trump , 74 , is spending the weekend at a military hospital near Washington after discovering that not even the commander in chief of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the coronavirus .
Said to be feverish and fatigued , there is huge uncertainty over his condition , its potential to deteriorate and whether he might become incapacitated .
In his absence , the mood in the White House was said to be one of panic , with growing concern over the extent of the spread of the virus within the building and whether it could disrupt the functioning of government .
Staff have taken their lead from Trump ’ s bubble of denial for months , eschewing face masks and congregating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spaces and narrow hallways .
The president ’ s positive test was chilling proof of what the rest of the country has long known : no one is safe .
“ People are losing their minds , ” one source told the Washington Post newspaper .
As Friday wore on and Trump ’ s conditioned worsened , staff were also forced to confront the possibility that his health could be at serious risk .
An information vacuum filled with rumour and speculation and did little to calm nerves , with media outlets forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or presidential tweets such as : “ Going welI , I think !
Thank you to all .
LOVE !
!
!
” The heavily guarded White House is one of the world ’ s most secure properties with a new 13ft tall fence to keep out intruders , protesters and terrorists .
Yet it too was breached by the invisible pathogen that has killed more than 205,000 Americans .
Commentators said there could be no greater proof of the administration ’ s failure to combat the pandemic .
How , when or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mystery .
But the myth of invulnerability may have been finally shattered by an event in the White House Rose Garden last Saturday in which he nominated judge Amy Coney Barrett to the supreme court .
More than 150 guests sat close together without face masks , apparently lulled into thinking it was safe to do so in the open air .
But eight attendees – Trump , the first lady Melania Trump , senior aide Hope Hicks , former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway , Senators Mike Lee and Thom Tillis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and junior staffer – have all since tested positive for the virus .
On Saturday morning it emerged that the Trump re-election campaign manager Bill Stepien had also tested positive , fueling more chaos into the election .
Deputy campaign manager Justin Clark is set to run the Trump campaign headquarters in Stepien ’ s absence .
After last Saturday ’ s Rose Garden celebration , an event which continued with receptions indoors at the White House , Trump spent a whirlwind week campaigning for the 3 November presidential election .
On Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with rival Joe Biden in Cleveland , Ohio , where many of his entourage sat unmasked in contrast to the Democrat ’ s team , who strictly followed the protocols .
On Thursday , Trump attended a political fundraiser at his golf club in Bedminister , New Jersey , even though he was aware he had been exposed to the infected Hicks .
That night , sounding unconcerned , he gave an interview to Sean Hannity of Fox News , apparently blaming the military or law enforcement for violating physical distancing : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you because we really have done a good job for them .
You get close , and things happen.
” Trump ’ s revelation that he was positive came in perhaps the most momentous tweet of his entire presidency just before 1am on Friday .
At last , critics said , a man notorious for dealing in disinformation and fantasies had to face a cold scientific truth he could not wish , insult or tweet away .
He also referred to it in the tweet correctly as Covid-19 , having previously referred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the China virus ” , the plague and “ kung flu ” .
Later that morning , the White House tried to project an air of business-as-usual .
Officials Mark Meadows , Larry Kudlow and Kayleigh McEnany all sought to assure reporters that Trump was in good spirits and had only mild symptoms .
Yet by the afternoon , there was evidence of growing gap between spin and reality .
It was announced that Trump had been injected with an experimental drug combination and , “ out of an abundance of caution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The otherwise routine Marine One journey gave many in Washington a sense of witnessing history unfold before their eyes .
Howard Fineman , a journalist , tweeted : “ I ’ ve seen and heard many indelible moments here in DC over the years , but nothing like Marine One flying over our neighborhood bound for Walter Reed , bearing a president struck , like millions of others , by global pandemic .
Unsettling , scary .
Politics is stilled for just a moment.
” Officials said Trump ’ s stay of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Military Medical Center is precautionary and that he will continue to work from the hospital ’ s presidential suite , which is equipped to allow him to keep up his official duties .
But the hospitalisation represents the gravest threat to an incumbent US president ’ s health since 1981 when Ronald Reagan survived a would-be assassin ’ s bullet outside a Washington hotel and received emergency medical attention .
Trump ’ s age , sex , obesity and elevated cholesterol put him at greater risk of becoming seriously ill from a virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people nationwide .
If he declines sharply and is unable to carry out his responsibilities , he could transfer power to the vice-president , Mike Pence , under the 25th amendment to the constitution .
Pence tested negative for the virus on Friday .
Bill Whalen , a research fellow at the Hoover Institution think tank at Stanford University in Palo Alto , California , said : “ The dominoes are multiple .
There ’ s the question of his ability to campaign in person moving ahead .
There ’ s the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now : the 25th amendment .
I ’ ve talked to some of my conservative friends who think he should be invoking this right now .
“ I hate to speculate like this , but what if his health did deteriorate rather fast to the point where either he was unconscious or just delirious ?
Then the vice-president , the cabinet , would have to step in and do this , so there ’ s actually a school of thought that he should invoke it proactively.
” The US government has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to presidents ’ health and the Trump White House , in particular , suffers from a trust deficit .
Kurt Bardella , a senior adviser to the anti-Trump group the Lincoln Project , said : “ What we ’ re seeing is a very healthy scepticism about anything that comes from the White House .
These are the same people who have been lying about everybody else ’ s health terms of the impact of Covid-19 , so why would we expect any differently when they ’ re talking about themselves ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported on Richard Nixon ’ s downfall in 1974 , added on Twitter : “ What we don ’ t know is a lot more than what we do know .
And we have an administration that long ago squandered its credibility .
All coverage of this crisis should keep these truths in mind for context.
” His next debate with Biden , scheduled for 15 October , is in doubt .
As well as Stepien testing positive for Covid-19 , so has key ally Ronna McDaniel , the head of the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor Chris Christie , who helped coach Trump for the first debate with Biden .
Despite Trump ’ s attempts to change the conversation , for example with Barrett ’ s court nomination , the pandemic remains the defining issue at the ballot box .
Glen Bolger , a Republican pollster , told the Associated Press : “ It ’ s challenging .
It would be better if the discussion was about jobs and the economy , or even Joe Biden is going to ‘ be held captive to the left ’ .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about coronavirus , and that ’ s not favourable terrain for Republicans .
”

Golden autumn sunshine shone down on Washington on Saturday to illuminate a US capital upended as Donald Trump began his first full day in hospital battling coronavirus amid a presidential election thrown into chaos.
Just hours earlier, on Friday evening after an excruciating wait for news, the president had emerged from the White House with a lacklustre wave and thumbs up, but ignoring reporters’ shouted questions about the state of his health.
Trump stalked slowly across the south lawn and boarded the US presidential helicopter. The only visual clue that something profound had changed was Trump’s face: he was wearing a mask.
As Marine One lifted into the sky just before sunset, the president left behind a White House staff suddenly rudderless, fearful and unsure how the story will end. The reality TV star turned president has delivered his greatest moment of suspense and the presidential election with its first “October surprise” but maybe not its last.
Trump, 74, is spending the weekend at a military hospital near Washington after discovering that not even the commander in chief of the world’s most powerful country is immune to the coronavirus. Said to be feverish and fatigued, there is huge uncertainty over his condition, its potential to deteriorate and whether he might become incapacitated.
In his absence, the mood in the White House was said to be one of panic, with growing concern over the extent of the spread of the virus within the building and whether it could disrupt the functioning of government.
00:53 Trump films message before leaving for Covid treatment in hospital – video
Staff have taken their lead from Trump’s bubble of denial for months, eschewing face masks and congregating in the west wing’s cramped spaces and narrow hallways. The president’s positive test was chilling proof of what the rest of the country has long known: no one is safe.
“People are losing their minds,” one source told the Washington Post newspaper.
As Friday wore on and Trump’s condition worsened, staff were also forced to confront the possibility that his health could be at serious risk. An information vacuum filled with rumour and speculation and did little to calm nerves, with media outlets forced to depend on leaks from anonymous officials or presidential tweets such as: “Going welI, I think! Thank you to all. LOVE!!!”
The heavily guarded White House is one of the world’s most secure properties with a new 13ft tall fence to keep out intruders, protesters and terrorists. Yet it too was breached by the invisible pathogen that has killed more than 205,000 Americans. Commentators said there could be no greater proof of the administration’s failure to combat the pandemic.
How, when or from whom Trump became infected remains a mystery. But the myth of invulnerability may have been finally shattered by an event in the White House Rose Garden last Saturday in which he nominated judge Amy Coney Barrett to the supreme court. More than 150 guests sat close together without face masks, apparently lulled into thinking it was safe to do so in the open air.
But at least seven attendees – Trump, the first lady Melania Trump, former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, ex-New Jersey governor Chris Christie, Senators Mike Lee and Thom Tillis and the University of Notre Dame president, John Jenkins – have all since tested positive for the virus.
On Saturday morning it emerged that the Trump re-election campaign manager, Bill Stepien, had also tested positive, fueling more chaos into the election. Deputy campaign manager Justin Clark is set to run the Trump campaign headquarters in Stepien’s absence.
After last Saturday’s Rose Garden celebration, an event which continued with receptions indoors at the White House, Trump spent a whirlwind week campaigning for the 3 November presidential election.
On Tuesday there was a chaotic and dismal debate with rival Joe Biden in Cleveland, Ohio, where many of his entourage sat unmasked in contrast to the Democrat’s team, who strictly followed the protocols.
On Thursday, Trump attended a political fundraiser at his golf club in Bedminister, New Jersey, even though he was aware he had been exposed to the infected Hicks. That night, sounding unconcerned, he gave an interview to Sean Hannity of Fox News, apparently blaming the military or law enforcement for violating physical distancing: “They want to hug you and kiss you because we really have done a good job for them. You get close, and things happen.”
Trump’s revelation that he was positive came in perhaps the most momentous tweet of his entire presidency just before 1am on Friday. At last, critics said, a man notorious for dealing in disinformation and fantasies had to face a cold scientific truth he could not wish, insult or tweet away.
He also referred to it in the tweet correctly as Covid-19, having previously referred to the disease in public remarks variously as “the China virus”, the plague and “kung flu”.
Later that morning, the White House tried to project an air of business-as-usual. Officials Mark Meadows, Larry Kudlow and Kayleigh McEnany all sought to assure reporters that Trump was in good spirits and had only mild symptoms.
Yet by the afternoon, there was evidence of growing gap between spin and reality. It was announced that Trump had been injected with an experimental drug combination and, “out of an abundance of caution”, would be flown to hospital. The otherwise routine Marine One journey gave many in Washington a sense of witnessing history unfold before their eyes.
Howard Fineman, a journalist, tweeted: “I’ve seen and heard many indelible moments here in DC over the years, but nothing like Marine One flying over our neighborhood bound for Walter Reed, bearing a president struck, like millions of others, by global pandemic. Unsettling, scary. Politics is stilled for just a moment.”
Officials said Trump’s stay of a few days at Walter Reed national military medical center is precautionary and that he will continue to work from the hospital’s presidential suite, which is equipped to allow him to keep up his official duties.
But a series of conflicting and contradictory messages sowed doubts in the public mind. A press conference by the medical team on Saturday painted a rosy picture but dodged key questions about whether Trump had received supplementary oxygen and gave a confusing timeline that later had to be corrected.
The president released a video on Saturday night, looking worn but insisting: “I feel much better.” Later his chief of staff, Mark Meadows, told Fox News: “He’s made unbelievable improvements from yesterday morning, when I know a number of us, the doctor and I, were very concerned … He had a fever and a blood oxygen level that dropped rapidly.”
Yet on the morning he referred to, Meadows had told reporters that Trump had “mild symptoms” and was “very energetic”.
His hospitalisation represents the gravest threat to an incumbent US president’s health since 1981 when Ronald Reagan survived a would-be assassin’s bullet outside a Washington hotel and received emergency medical attention.
Doctors outside Walter Reed medical center on Saturday. Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP
Trump’s age, sex, obesity and elevated cholesterol put him at greater risk of becoming seriously ill from a virus that has infected more than 7 million people nationwide. If he declines sharply and is unable to carry out his responsibilities, he could transfer power to the vice-president, Mike Pence, under the 25th amendment to the constitution. Pence tested negative for the virus on Friday.
Bill Whalen, a research fellow at the Hoover Institution thinktank at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, said: “The dominoes are multiple. There’s the question of his ability to campaign in person moving ahead. There’s the question of his ability to have the office right now: the 25th amendment. I’ve talked to some of my conservative friends who think he should be invoking this right now.
“I hate to speculate like this, but what if his health did deteriorate rather fast to the point where either he was unconscious or just delirious? Then the vice-president, the cabinet, would have to step in and do this, so there’s actually a school of thought that he should invoke it proactively.”
The US government has a long history of opacity when it comes to presidents’ health and the Trump White House, in particular, suffers from a trust deficit.
Kurt Bardella, a senior adviser to the anti-Trump group the Lincoln Project, said: “What we’re seeing is a very healthy scepticism about anything that comes from the White House. These are the same people who have been lying about everybody else’s health terms of the impact of Covid-19, so why would we expect any differently when they’re talking about themselves?”
Dan Rather, a veteran journalist who reported on Richard Nixon’s downfall in 1974, added on Twitter: “What we don’t know is a lot more than what we do know. And we have an administration that long ago squandered its credibility. All coverage of this crisis should keep these truths in mind for context.”
His next debate with Biden, scheduled for 15 October, is in doubt. As well as Stepien testing positive for Covid-19, so has key ally Ronna McDaniel, the head of the Republican National Committee, and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who helped coach Trump for the first debate with Biden. Despite Trump’s attempts to change the conversation, for example with Barrett’s court nomination, the pandemic remains the defining issue at the ballot box.
Glen Bolger, a Republican pollster, told the Associated Press: “It’s challenging. It would be better if the discussion was about jobs and the economy, or even Joe Biden is going to ‘be held captive to the left’. But the election is going to be about coronavirus, and that’s not favourable terrain for Republicans.”


theguardian--2020-10-04--My election advice to small businesses? Let your people vote | Gene Marks

How many eligible voters in the United States actually cast their ballot in the 2016 presidential elections ?
The answer is pretty astounding : it ’ s anywhere between 55 % and 58 % , depending on who ’ s doing the research .
That means that about 138 million Americans out of an approximate 238 million eligible voters cast their vote .
Which means that 100 million people who had the right to vote , didn ’ t .
So why didn ’ t they vote ?
There are many reasons but the biggest reason , according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply time .
People are busy .
They ’ re at work .
They have to rush home to take care of their families .
They have other obligations .
Voting takes time .
So shouldn ’ t employers , regardless of size , help ?
Yes , you should .
Even if you ’ re a small business .
You should be giving your workers time off during the day to vote .
And yes , you should be paying them .
Federal law doesn ’ t require you to do this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give their employees time off to vote and 22 require that the time be compensated .
Eighteen of those states require advance notice to take time off to vote , and five of them require proof after an employee has voted .
What ’ s the rule in your state ?
A great summary is provided by the law firm Mathew & George here .
Regardless of each state ’ s requirements , what do small business owners around the country plan to do on election day ?
According to a new survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approximately 76 % of us do plan to give our employees time off to vote and 83 % of those employers will pay their people to do so .
A quarter ( 26 % ) of small business owners are actually going so far as to make it a company-wide holiday on election day .
Big brands like Old Navy , Target and Warby Parker are literally paying their employees not only to vote , but to work at polling places on election day .
That ’ s because more poll workers than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health risks caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
If you own a small company I don ’ t think you have to go to that extreme .
You still have a business to run and people don ’ t need an entire day off just to cast their vote .
You probably also don ’ t have the money to pay people to work the polls .
So here ’ s what you should do , in my opinion .
You should , regardless of the state you ’ re in , allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time during election day and vote .
You should ask your employees to give advanced notice to your human resources person and get approval from their supervisor so as not to just abruptly disappear .
You should give your employees a time limit on their absence – I think three hours is more than reasonable and probably overkill .
But don ’ t quibble about this .
Treat them like adults .
They know what their responsibilities are and your good employees will want to make sure their work still gets done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
You shouldn ’ t tell your employees who to vote for .
You shouldn ’ t be sharing with your employees who you ’ re voting for .
None of that is their concern , nor their business .
You shouldn ’ t be promoting any particular political candidate in your business .
You shouldn ’ t make anyone feel uncomfortable for who they support .
You shouldn ’ t make anyone feel awkward if they choose not to vote .
That ’ s up to them and all you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You ’ re running a business , not a cult .
What you say about politics is irrelevant .
We are among the world ’ s largest democracies and yet voter turnout is higher in at least 25 countries than us , including Estonia , Slovakia and Belgium ( which has the highest turnout at 87 % ) .
That ’ s embarrassing .
As small business owners and employers we have a role to play in changing this .
We employ more than half of the workers in this country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need .
Communicate your actions right away .
Make it a big deal .
Because it is .
You ’ re doing everything you can to promote a fair and positive election .

How many eligible voters in the United States actually cast their ballot in the 2016 presidential elections? The answer is pretty astounding: it’s anywhere between 55% and 58%, depending on who’s doing the research.
That means that about 138 million Americans out of an approximate 238 million eligible voters cast their vote. Which means that 100 million people who had the right to vote, didn’t. So why didn’t they vote? There are many reasons but the biggest reason, according to a 2006 survey done by Pew Research is simply time. People are busy. They’re at work. They have to rush home to take care of their families. They have other obligations. Voting takes time.
So shouldn’t employers, regardless of size, help? Yes, you should. Even if you’re a small business. You should be giving your workers time off during the day to vote. And yes, you should be paying them.
Federal law doesn’t require you to do this. But 29 states mandate that companies give their employees time off to vote and 22 require that the time be compensated. Eighteen of those states require advance notice to take time off to vote, and five of them require proof after an employee has voted. What’s the rule in your state? A great summary is provided by the law firm Mathew & George here.
Regardless of each state’s requirements, what do small business owners around the country plan to do on election day? According to a new survey released by Square and Wakefield Research, approximately 76% of us do plan to give our employees time off to vote and 83% of those employers will pay their people to do so. A quarter (26%) of small business owners are actually going so far as to make it a company-wide holiday on election day.
Big brands like Old Navy, Target and Warby Parker are literally paying their employees not only to vote, but to work at polling places on election day. That’s because more poll workers than ever are needed in light of the health risks caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
If you own a small company I don’t think you have to go to that extreme. You still have a business to run and people don’t need an entire day off just to cast their vote. You probably also don’t have the money to pay people to work the polls.
Treat them like adults. Your good employees will want to make sure their work still gets done. Well, most of them
So here’s what you should do, in my opinion. You should, regardless of the state you’re in, allow your employees to leave for a period of time during election day and vote. You should ask your employees to give advanced notice to your human resources person and get approval from their supervisor so as not to just abruptly disappear. You should give your employees a time limit on their absence – I think three hours is more than reasonable and probably overkill. But don’t quibble about this. Treat them like adults. They know what their responsibilities are and your good employees will want to make sure their work still gets done. Well, at least most of them.
You shouldn’t tell your employees who to vote for. You shouldn’t be sharing with your employees who you’re voting for. None of that is their concern, nor their business. You shouldn’t be promoting any particular political candidate in your business. You shouldn’t make anyone feel uncomfortable for who they support. You shouldn’t make anyone feel awkward if they choose not to vote. That’s up to them and all you’re doing is giving them the opportunity. You’re running a business, not a cult. What you say about politics is irrelevant.
We are among the world’s largest democracies and yet voter turnout is higher in at least 25 countries than us, including Estonia, Slovakia and Belgium (which has the highest turnout at 87%). That’s embarrassing. As small business owners and employers we have a role to play in changing this. We employ more than half of the workers in this country. So give your employees the time off they need. Communicate your actions right away. Make it a big deal. Because it is. You’re doing everything you can to promote a fair and positive election.


theguardian--2020-10-04--Welcome to Flatland, where shallow appeal ousts substance and reason | Kenan Malik

Four international art galleries decide to “ postpone ” a controversial exhibition .
Donald Trump and Joe Biden take part in what has aptly been called a “ shitshow ” of a presidential election debate .
Celebrity activist Laurence Fox launches a political movement to reclaim “ British values ” .
On the surface , these disparate events have nothing in common .
However , that is also what they have in common – each shows how art and politics are now lived on the surface with little consideration of depth or meaning .
The four galleries – Tate Modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gallery of Art , the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and Houston ’ s Museum of Fine Arts – decided to postpone , until 2024 , a long awaited show by the artist Philip Guston because the Black Lives Matter movement has shown the need for “ the powerful message of social and racial justice that is at the centre of Philip Guston ’ s work… [ to ] be more clearly interpreted ” .
But why should the galleries do all the “ interpreting ” ?
Art , after all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , novel , play or film can have many readings .
That ’ s one reason why art can be so thrilling .
We live in a world , though , in which many insist that there can only be one way of interpreting contentious issues , whether racial justice or trans rights .
The other side of the denial of independent interpretation is the tyranny of the literal : that what ’ s on the surface is all that matters , that the external form can not be distinguished from deeper meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paintings , for the show ’ s curators , seems to be that many depict the Klu Klux Klan in white hoods .
Guston was unswervingly anti-racist – one of his works , The Studio , shows him painting in a hood , to illustrate what he saw as his own complicity in white supremacy .
If any artist fits the current political mood , it ’ s Guston .
However , the galleries seem to think it impossible for audiences to be able , without their aid , to tell the difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So the cultural gatekeepers have taken it upon themselves both to interpret the paintings for us in the right way and to protect us from being upset or discomfited .
A world in which we fetishise surface appearance , in which people can not be trusted with their own interpretations and in which we fear being offended or unsettled , leads also to the spectacle that was the US presidential election debate .
It was less a forum for politics than a form of real-life trolling .
The character of the debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs and his insistence on dragging politics into the gutter .
But it also exposed in a particularly extreme form an aspect of politics that extends well beyond Trump .
Politicians today seem too often to be more interested in feeding the outrage machine than in illuminating debate , preferring slogans to reasoned argument , dismissing scrutiny as “ partisanship ” and treating truth as if it were a form of entertainment .
And then we have Laurence Fox ’ s Reclaim , “ a new political movement that promises to make our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divisive one ” , the seeming opposite of the Trump approach .
It has apparently already received £5m in funding .
A political movement , though , needs , well , politics .
And on this , we have so far heard nothing .
Where does Reclaim stand on the question of “ offshoring ” asylum seekers ?
On whether people should be fined for breaking self-isolation rules ?
On how far we should be able to offend others ?
These are all divisive issues because politics is , by definition , divisive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on contentious questions .
The pretence that it ’ s possible to have politics that is not divisive is a demand that we paper over the rifts and inequalities that rend society , a stance that can only favour those with privilege and power .
The problem today is not that societies are polarised , but , rather , that they are polarised less by ideology than by identity and that tribalism has become an end in itself .
Without a modicum of politeness , or a willingness to listen to others , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s own beliefs , we inevitably end up with a “ shitshow ” .
But , important though they are , these are only means to an end , not ends in themselves .
A party with no policies or content apart from “ Why can ’ t we all be nice to each other ?
” is as much about skimming the surface , of refusing to engage with depth , as Trump ’ s trolling or the galleries ’ contempt for their audience .
From art to politics , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface , abjuring any attempt to engage with depth or content .
Welcome to Flatland .

Four international art galleries decide to “postpone” a controversial exhibition. Donald Trump and Joe Biden take part in what has aptly been called a “shitshow” of a presidential election debate. Celebrity activist Laurence Fox launches a political movement to reclaim “British values”. On the surface, these disparate events have nothing in common. However, that is also what they have in common – each shows how art and politics are now lived on the surface with little consideration of depth or meaning.
The four galleries – Tate Modern in London, Washington’s National Gallery of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts – decided to postpone, until 2024, a long awaited show by the artist Philip Guston because the Black Lives Matter movement has shown the need for “the powerful message of social and racial justice that is at the centre of Philip Guston’s work… [to] be more clearly interpreted”.
But why should the galleries do all the “interpreting”? Art, after all, is about engagement – the same painting, novel, play or film can have many readings. That’s one reason why art can be so thrilling. We live in a world, though, in which many insist that there can only be one way of interpreting contentious issues, whether racial justice or trans rights.
The other side of the denial of independent interpretation is the tyranny of the literal: that what’s on the surface is all that matters, that the external form cannot be distinguished from deeper meaning. The problem with Guston’s paintings, for the show’s curators, seems to be that many depict the Klu Klux Klan in white hoods. Guston was unswervingly anti-racist – one of his works, The Studio, shows him painting in a hood, to illustrate what he saw as his own complicity in white supremacy. If any artist fits the current political mood, it’s Guston.
Politicians today seem more interested in feeding the outrage machine than in illuminating debate
However, the galleries seem to think it impossible for audiences to be able, without their aid, to tell the difference between racism and a critique of racism. So the cultural gatekeepers have taken it upon themselves both to interpret the paintings for us in the right way and to protect us from being upset or discomfited.
A world in which we fetishise surface appearance, in which people cannot be trusted with their own interpretations and in which we fear being offended or unsettled, leads also to the spectacle that was the US presidential election debate. It was less a forum for politics than a form of real-life trolling.
The character of the debate was clearly shaped by Trump’s needs and his insistence on dragging politics into the gutter. But it also exposed in a particularly extreme form an aspect of politics that extends well beyond Trump. Politicians today seem too often to be more interested in feeding the outrage machine than in illuminating debate, preferring slogans to reasoned argument, dismissing scrutiny as “partisanship” and treating truth as if it were a form of entertainment.
And then we have Laurence Fox’s Reclaim, “a new political movement that promises to make our future a shared endeavour, not a divisive one”, the seeming opposite of the Trump approach. It has apparently already received £5m in funding.
A political movement, though, needs, well, politics. And on this, we have so far heard nothing. Where does Reclaim stand on the question of “offshoring” asylum seekers? On whether people should be fined for breaking self-isolation rules? On how far we should be able to offend others?
Celebrity activist Laurence Fox’s Reclaim movement seems to overlook that politics is, of its nature, a divisive thing. Photograph: Mike Marsland/WireImage
These are all divisive issues because politics is, by definition, divisive. It demands that people take sides on contentious questions. The pretence that it’s possible to have politics that is not divisive is a demand that we paper over the rifts and inequalities that rend society, a stance that can only favour those with privilege and power. The problem today is not that societies are polarised, but, rather, that they are polarised less by ideology than by identity and that tribalism has become an end in itself.
Without a modicum of politeness, or a willingness to listen to others, or an openness to scrutiny of one’s own beliefs, we inevitably end up with a “shitshow”. But, important though they are, these are only means to an end, not ends in themselves. A party with no policies or content apart from “Why can’t we all be nice to each other?” is as much about skimming the surface, of refusing to engage with depth, as Trump’s trolling or the galleries’ contempt for their audience.
From art to politics, this is increasingly a world lived on the surface, abjuring any attempt to engage with depth or content. Welcome to Flatland.


theguardian--2020-10-04--Trump, Covid and empathy for the world's least empathetic man | Robert Reich

For about a minute today I found myself feeling sorry for Donald Trump .
The poor man is now “ battling ” Covid-19 ( the pugilistic verb is showing up all over the news ) .
He ’ s in the hospital .
He ’ s out of shape .
He ’ s 74 years old .
His chief of staff reportedly says his symptoms are “ very concerning ” .
Joe Biden is praying for him .
Kamala Harris sends him heartfelt wishes .
President Obama reminds us we ’ re all in this together and we want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold on : why should we feel empathy for one of the most unempathetic people in the world ?
One reason is out of respect .
He ’ s a human being .
He ’ s our president .
Yet there ’ s an asymmetry here .
While the Biden campaign has taken down all negative television advertising , the Trump campaign ’ s negative ads continue non-stop .
And at almost the same time that Biden , Harris , and Obama offered prayers and consoling words , the Trump campaign blasted “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and charged that “ Sleepy Joe isn ’ t fit to be YOUR President ” .
Can you imagine if Biden had contracted Covid rather than Trump ?
Trump would be all over him .
He ’ d attack Biden as weak , feeble , and old .
He ’ d mock Biden ’ s mask-wearing – “ See , masks don ’ t work !
” – and lampoon his unwillingness to hold live rallies : “ Guess he got Covid in his basement !
” How can we even be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s lied about everything else .
Maybe he ’ ll reappear in a day or two , refreshed and relaxed , saying “ Covid is no big deal ” .
He ’ ll claim he took hydroxychloroquine , and it cured him .
He ’ ll boast that he won the “ battle ” with Covid because he ’ s strong and powerful , without crediting the best medical care money can buy .
Meanwhile , his “ battle ” has distracted the nation from revelations that he ’ s a tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes his first year in office , and barely anything for 15 years before that ; and that he ’ s a failed businessman who ’ s still losing money .
And from his cringeworthy debate performance last week , in which he didn ’ t want to condemn white supremacists .
It even takes our mind off the major reason Covid is out of control in America : because Trump blew it .
He downplayed it , pushed responsibility on to governors , and then demanded they allow businesses to reopen – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy look good before the election .
He has muzzled and disputed experts at the CDC , promoted crank cures , held maskless campaign events , and encouraged followers not to wear masks .
All of this has contributed to tens of thousands of unnecessary American deaths .
Trump ’ s “ battle ” with Covid also diverts attention from his and Mitch McConnell ’ s perversions of American democracy .
This is where the asymmetry is deeper .
McConnell is now moving to confirm Trump ’ s supreme court nominee Amy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s nominee from getting a Senate vote for almost a year on the basis of a concocted “ rule ” that the next president should decide .
Yet Biden won ’ t talk about increasing the size of the court in order to balance it , and Democratic leaders have shot down the idea .
Nor do Biden and top Democrats want to suggest making Washington DC , and Puerto Rico into states – a step that would remedy the bizarre inequities in the Senate where a bare majority of Republicans representing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterparts are able to confirm a supreme court justice .
It would also help rebalance the electoral college , which made Trump president in 2016 despite losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by more than 3 million .
Democrats worry this would strike the public as unfair .
Unfair , when Trump won ’ t even commit to a peaceful transition of power and refuses to be bound by the results ?
When he ’ s already claiming the election is rigged against him and will be fraudulent unless he wins ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump electors to be certified in states he ’ ll allege he lost because of fraud ?
When he ’ s urging his followers to intimidate Biden voters at the polls ?
Whether responding to Trump ’ s hospitalization this weekend or to Trump ’ s larger political maneuvers , Democrats want to act decently and nicely , to take the high road and be fair .
They want to protect democratic norms , values , and institutions .
This is admirable .
It ’ s also what Democrats say they stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t playing the same game .
Trump and his enablers will do anything to retain and enlarge their power .
It ’ s possible to be sympathetic toward Trump this weekend while acknowledging that he is subjecting America to a moral test .
What kind of society does the nation want : one based on decency and democracy , or on viciousness and raw power ?

For about a minute today I found myself feeling sorry for Donald Trump. The poor man is now “battling” Covid-19 (the pugilistic verb is showing up all over the news). He’s in the hospital. He’s out of shape. He’s 74 years old. His chief of staff reportedly says his symptoms are “very concerning”.
Joe Biden is praying for him. Kamala Harris sends him heartfelt wishes. President Obama reminds us we’re all in this together and we want to make sure everyone is healthy.
But hold on: why should we feel empathy for one of the most unempathetic people in the world?
One reason is out of respect. He’s a human being. He’s our president.
Yet there’s an asymmetry here. While the Biden campaign has taken down all negative television advertising, the Trump campaign’s negative ads continue non-stop.
And at almost the same time that Biden, Harris and Obama offered prayers and consoling words, the Trump campaign blasted “Lyin’ Obama and Phony Kamala Harris” and charged that “Sleepy Joe isn’t fit to be YOUR President”.
Can you imagine if Biden had contracted Covid rather than Trump? Trump would be all over him. He’d attack Biden as weak, feeble and old. He’d mock Biden’s mask-wearing – “See, masks don’t work!” – and lampoon his unwillingness to hold live rallies: “Guess he got Covid in his basement!”
How can we even be sure Trump has the disease? He’s lied about everything else. Maybe he’ll reappear in a day or two, refreshed and relaxed, saying, “Covid is no big deal.” He’ll claim he took hydroxychloroquine, and it cured him. He’ll boast that he won the “battle” with Covid because he’s strong and powerful, without crediting the best medical care money can buy.
Meanwhile, his “battle” has distracted the nation from revelations that he’s a tax cheat who paid only $750 in taxes his first year in office, and barely anything for 15 years before that; and that he’s a failed businessman who’s still losing money.
And from his cringeworthy debate performance last week, in which he didn’t want to condemn white supremacists.
It even takes our mind off the major reason Covid is out of control in America: because Trump blew it.
He downplayed it, pushed responsibility on to governors, and then demanded they allow businesses to reopen – too early – in order to make the economy look good before the election.
Can you imagine if Biden had contracted Covid rather than Trump? Trump would be all over him
He has muzzled and disputed experts at the CDC, promoted crank cures, held maskless campaign events, and encouraged followers not to wear masks. All of this has contributed to tens of thousands of unnecessary American deaths.
Trump’s “battle” with Covid also diverts attention from his and Mitch McConnell’s perversions of American democracy.
This is where the asymmetry is deeper. McConnell is now moving to confirm Trump’s supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, after having prevented Obama’s nominee from getting a Senate vote for almost a year on the basis of a concocted “rule” that the next president should decide.
Yet Biden won’t talk about increasing the size of the court in order to balance it, and Democratic leaders have shot down the idea.
Nor do Biden and top Democrats want to suggest making Washington DC and Puerto Rico into states – a step that would remedy the bizarre inequities in the Senate where a bare majority of Republicans representing 11 million fewer Americans than their Democratic counterparts are able to confirm a supreme court justice.
It would also help rebalance the electoral college, which made Trump president in 2016 despite losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by more than 3 million.
Democrats worry this would strike the public as unfair. Unfair, when Trump won’t even commit to a peaceful transition of power and refuses to be bound by the results?
When he’s already claiming the election is rigged against him and will be fraudulent unless he wins?
When he’s now readying slates of Trump electors to be certified in states he’ll allege he lost because of fraud? When he’s urging his followers to intimidate Biden voters at the polls?
Whether responding to Trump’s hospitalization this weekend or to Trump’s larger political maneuvers, Democrats want to act decently and nicely, to take the high road and be fair. They want to protect democratic norms, values and institutions.
This is admirable. It’s also what Democrats say they stand for.
But the other side isn’t playing the same game. Trump and his enablers will do anything to retain and enlarge their power.
It’s possible to be sympathetic toward Trump this weekend while acknowledging that he is subjecting America to a moral test.
What kind of society does the nation want: one based on decency and democracy, or on viciousness and raw power?


theguardian--2020-10-05--US president makes brief visit to fans outside Walter Reed – as it happened

Officials in New Jersey are racing to contact trace 206 guests who attended Donald Trump ’ s rally at his @ @ @ @ @ New Jersey .
After the president announced he tested positive for Covid-19 in the late @ @ @ @ @ officials have been trying to inform everyone in attendance of their possible exposure to the @ @ @ @ @ officials are facing is that the campaign only gave them the email addresses of attendees @ @ @ @ @ to get a response compared to addresses and telephone numbers , according to a report @ @ @ @ @ Jersey Department of Health tweeted on Thursday that officials have already tried to reach out @ @ @ @ @ to monitor their symptoms and quarantine if they were in close contact with the president @ @ @ @ @ department said that the federal government is also conducting contact tracing of the event .
@ @ @ @ @ these individuals to make them aware of possible exposure and recommend that they self-monitor for @ @ @ @ @ were in close contact with the President and his staff .

Lauren Aratani (now), Amanda Holpuch, Tom Lutz and Oliver Holmes (earlier)

5 Oct 2020 01.59 BST We’ll be closing this blog shortly but will continue to have live updates over on our global coronavirus live blog here. Here’s a quick summary of everything that has happened in US politics today: The White House’s medical team said that Donald Trump, who is currently being treated for Covid-19 at a military hospital, “has continued to improve” since Saturday. The team confirmed the president had lowered oxygen levels at one point and refused to answer questions about whether the president has suffered lung damage. Continuing to take an “upbeat” perspective, one member of the team suggested that Trump could be released as early as tomorrow.
The team confirmed the president had lowered oxygen levels at one point and refused to answer questions about whether the president has suffered lung damage. Continuing to take an “upbeat” perspective, one member of the team suggested that Trump could be released as early as tomorrow. Trump made an impromptu appearance outside of the hospital this afternoon, waving from inside an SUV to a crowd of supporters who gathered outside the hospital. Concerns were raised about the other people who were in the car with Trump, who was wearing a mask, given that Trump is contagious with the virus.
Concerns were raised about the other people who were in the car with Trump, who was wearing a mask, given that Trump is contagious with the virus. A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed the widest lead in a month that Joe Biden has over Trump. The poll, taken Friday and Saturday, showed Biden with a 10-point lead over Trump. A separate poll indicated a majority – 65% – of Americans believe that Trump would not have been infected with the virus if he took it more seriously.
The poll, taken Friday and Saturday, showed Biden with a 10-point lead over Trump. A separate poll indicated a majority – 65% – of Americans believe that Trump would not have been infected with the virus if he took it more seriously. A report from the Wall Street Journal said that Trump had a positive Covid-19 rapid test on Thursday but did not disclose it immediately to the public and carried on business-as-usual. Trump told Fox News that night that he was waiting for test results and then tweeted later that night that he has the virus.
5 Oct 2020 01.41 BST Officials in New Jersey are racing to contact trace 206 guests who attended Donald Trump’s rally at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. After the president announced he tested positive for Covid-19 in the late night after the event, officials have been trying to inform everyone in attendance of their possible exposure to the virus. One obstacle health officials are facing is that the campaign only gave them the email addresses of attendees, which is less likely to get a response compared to addresses and telephone numbers, according to a report from Politico. The New Jersey Department of Health tweeted on Thursday that officials have already tried to reach out to guests and told them to monitor their symptoms and quarantine if they were in close contact with the president or his staff. The department said that the federal government is also conducting contact tracing of the event. DOH has reached out to these individuals to make them aware of possible exposure and recommend that they self-monitor for symptoms and quarantine if they were in close contact with the President and his staff. — NJDOH (@NJDeptofHealth) October 4, 2020
5 Oct 2020 01.24 BST Judd Deere, deputy press secretary, just told a White House pool reporter that Donald Trump’s appearance in front of Walter Reed Hospital was “cleared by the medical team as safe to do” and said that “appropriate precautions were taken in the execution of this movement to protect the President and all those supporting it, including PPE”. Concerns over the appearance and whether Trump put the other people that were in the car with him, who are likely Secret Service personnel, at risk of contracting the virus have been raised on Twitter. The White House has since emphasized that the ride was short and impromptu. Trump has reportedly told his advisers that he is bored at the hospital and is tired of watching reports of his hospitalization on television, according to the Washington Post. Donald Trump waves at his supporters outside Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Photograph: Anthony Peltier/AP
4 Oct 2020 00.56 BST Sean Conley, White House physician, reportedly told co-workers in the spring, before the president contracted Covid-19, that he was feeling intense personal stress in his current job, according to a new report from the Washington Post. Conley, a 40-year-old Navy commander, joined the White House medical staff in December 2016 after serving as a Navy emergency physician and serving in a trauma unit in Afghanistan. He was tapped as White House physician in 2018. The Post reports that those who have worked with Conley believe that the public statements he has given appear to be dictated by politics. “Every statement he is giving appears to be political, dictated by the White House or the president,” one anonymous source who has worked with Conley told the Post. “These are not statement a medical doctor gives.” After painting an upbeat picture of the president’s health on Saturday, Conley today admitted that the president’s oxygen levels had dropped at one point. He said that he was “trying to reflect the upbeat attitude that the team, the president, over his course of illness, has had.”
Updated at 00.57 BST
4 Oct 2020 00.28 BST Joe Biden tests negative for Covid-19 Joe Biden’s campaign just announced the former vice president tested negative for Covid-19 today. Joe Biden tested negative for Covid today, his campaign says. “Vice President Biden underwent PCR testing for COVID-19 today and COVID-19 was not detected.” — Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) October 4, 2020 This is Biden’s second test since it became public that Donald Trump has contracted Covid-19. Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, both tested negative for Covid-19 on Friday. Biden’s campaign said last night that they will be releasing the result of every Covid-19 test the candidate takes moving forward.
4 Oct 2020 00.16 BST The Washington Post just published a report on the band of supporters that have gathered outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where the president is staying as he continues his treatment for Covid-19. Dan Zak, a reporter for the Post, describes a scene where Trump’s supporters are yelling to passing cars in bullhorns calling for “eight more years” and waving huge Trump 2020 flags. “Trump is sick, so the rally has to come to him, with all the hallmarks: relentless noise, cultish fervor glazed with folksy politeness, and general masklessness despite the virus that sent a U.S. president to the hospital for the most concerning medical episode since a .22-caliber slug lodged in Ronald Reagan’s chest 39 years ago,” Zak writes. It appears that most of the supporters came from the surrounding areas in Maryland and nearby Pennsylvania, which Trump won in 2016, but the Post reports that one supporter from Tampa, Florida, an evangelist, broke news to the crowd that Trump may be out of the hospital tomorrow. “Thank you, Jesus, for healing the president!’ he said. Supporters of Donald Trump outside the hospital where the president is being treated for Covid-19. Photograph: Alex Edelman/AFP/Getty Images
4 Oct 2020 23.55 BST The White House Correspondents Association released a statement condemning the White House for not informing the press pool that Donald Trump would be making an appearance outside of Walter Reed Hospital this afternoon. The White House told reporters that there would be no more events after 3 pm today. “It is outrageous for the president to have left the hospital – even briefly – amid a health crisis without a protective pool present to ensure that the American people know where their president is and how he is doing,” said the association’s president Zeke Miller in a statement. Statement from WHCA President @ZekeJMiller on Trump’s covid parade outside Walter Reed just now pic.twitter.com/4SVVQE39fy — Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) October 4, 2020
4 Oct 2020 23.35 BST White House refuses to release number of officials with Covid-19 Kayleigh McEnany, White House press secretary, took two questions from reporters moments ago and refused to commit releasing to the public how many White House officials have tested positive for Covid-19.
It also appears the White House is trying to deny a Wall Street Journal report from this afternoon that Donald Trump carried on business-as-usual even after he had a positive rapid Covid-19 test on Thursday. The press secretary did not answer questions about tests the president took before the White House announced Trump has Covid-19. McEnany said that the president first tested positive after he held a rally at hid golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. In those two answers, McEnany — a taxpayer funded official — would not commit to releasing how many White House officials have tested positive and would not answer @colvinj’s question about whether Trump was tested Tuesday before the debate. — Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 4, 2020 McEnany for first time says the president tested positive for first time upon return from Bedminster. Would not answer questions about his previous tests. — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) October 4, 2020
Updated at 23.45 BST
4 Oct 2020 23.19 BST An MSNBC reporter is saying that attorney general William Barr is self-quarantining at home, though Barr has taken four negative tests since Friday morning. According to a DOJ spokesperson, Attorney General William Barr took another test today which was negative.
He has taken 4 tests since Friday morning, all negative.
The Attorney General is now self quarantining at home and will not be in the office tomorrow. — yasminvossoughian (@yasminv) October 4, 2020
4 Oct 2020 23.05 BST Commenting on Donald Trump’s appearance outside of Walter Reed Hospital, where he waved to supporters from inside an SUV, the White House released a statement that said the president “took a short, last-minute motorcade ride to wave to his supporters outside and has now returned to the Presidential Suite inside Walter Reed.” Explanation from the White House: “President Trump took a short, last-minute motorcade ride to wave to his supporters outside and has now returned to the Presidential Suite inside Walter Reed.” (@realDonaldTrump has COVID-19.) — Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) October 4, 2020 Reporters on Twitter are pointing out that it appears that the other people in the car, likely Secret Service detail, were wearing PPE including medical-grade masks and eye protection.
Closer look at man in passenger seat with Trump shows medical gown, respirator mask and eye/face shield pic.twitter.com/kPvrEZ75Tr — Kevin Liptak (@Kevinliptakcnn) October 4, 2020 White House pool reporters also mentioned on Twitter that they were told that no other events were happening after 3 pm today and were not informed about Trump’s appearance. The White House called a lid a few hours ago.
That was obviously a lie and it raises the question of whether it was an intentional lie to help @realDonaldTrump avoid questions from the press pool who is supposed to be there to witness him entering/exiting the building/vehicle. https://t.co/Ex8XxZaBMA — Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) October 4, 2020
Updated at 23.07 BST
4 Oct 2020 22.56 BST Reaction to Donald Trump making a surprise, very brief appearance outside of Walter Reed Hospital just moments ago, when he waved to supporters while in an SUV, is starting to appear on Twitter.
While Trump said that contracting the virus has allowed him to understand the virus, he chose to get into a car with other people even though he is contagious, something that multiple health experts have pointed out puts others at risk. That Presidential SUV is not only bulletproof, but hermetically sealed against chemical attack. The risk of COVID19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures. The irresponsibility is astounding. My thoughts are with the Secret Service forced to play. — Dr. James P. Phillips, MD (@DrPhillipsMD) October 4, 2020 Jonathan Reiner, a professor of medicine at George Washington University, said the president put his Secret Service detail “at grave risk”. “In the hospital when we go into close contact with a COVID patient we dress in full PPE: Gown, gloves, N95, eye protection, hat. This is the height of irresponsibility,” Reiner wrote. One reporter said an anonymous Secret Service source said Trump’s appearance was “so reckless, so careless, so heartless”.
4 Oct 2020 22.33 BST Trump makes appearance outside of hospital It’s been a rather bizarre 15 minutes: Donald Trump tweeted a video moments ago that said he was “about to make a little surprise visit” to supporters who have gathered outside of Walter Reed Hospital, where the president has been under medical care since Friday. 01:13 Donald Trump drives past supporters after saying he has 'learnt a lot about Covid' – video In the video, Trump said (seven months into the pandemic) that he’s “learned a lot about Covid” and saying that contracting the virus has been the “real school”, saying “this isn’t the ‘let’s-read-the-books’ school”. Trump indeed made an appearance, but it was a quick drive-by where, inside a car, he waved to cheering supporters. One video on Twitter showed Trump, wearing a mask, waving a giving a thumbs up to the crowd. Reports say the appearance lasted about a minute. Trump drives by the press and supporters outside Walter Reed hospital. pic.twitter.com/3phtKthqTH — Philip Crowther (@PhilipinDC) October 4, 2020 A car with Donald Trump drives past supporters outside Walter Reed in Bethesda, Maryland, on 4 October. Photograph: Alex Edelman/AFP/Getty Images
Updated at 23.38 BST


theguardian--2020-10-04--The hardy few Trump fans outside Walter Reed get reward as first patient drives by

By the time the sun rose on Walter Reed medical center in suburban Washington on Sunday , a small but diverse group of 15 supporters had gathered by the gate , waving Trump banners towards the passing drivers , whose reactions ranged from a honking horn to a middle finger and curses .
By evening , the gathering of the faithful had swollen to several score and their patience and resolve was rewarded by a slow drive-past by the first patient himself , determine to show his followers he was undimmed by his brush with virus , whatever the cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit in his hermetically-sealed armoured car .
Ann and James Wass had been there since before dawn and had been unperturbed by the negative reactions in this solidly Democratic neighbourhood .
They had come to pray for Donald Trump and were inviting everyone who passed to do the same , whatever their religious inclination .
They were not wearing masks because they were outdoors , the Wasses said , despite the close proximity to their fellow Trump fans .
“ Some people get sick , some people don ’ t get sick , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pull through despite his age , she predicted , because he did not smoke or drink and got regular exercise , though she did concede “ he is a tad overweight ” .
By nine , the sunlight was illuminating the smooth green lawns that slope up to the imposing art deco tower of the US navy hospital .
The Wasses , however , had been there since six , arriving from their Maryland home when , as James put it , “ the moon was doing a nice dance in the western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd of about 50 supporters who had been at the gate on Saturday night had dispersed and there was just a determined handful who had stayed overnight .
That included five Chinese exiles who were members of a new organisation called the New Federal State of China , created in June by the rightwing ideologue and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and a New York-based Chinese businessman , Guo Wengui .
The Chinese demonstrators held up signs saying “ Take Down the CCP ” ( Chinese Communist party ) and “ CCP Virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more detailed sign that accused the Chinese government of unleashing the coronavirus deliberately .
They could not explain further as none of the five spoke English .
The only non-Chinese Trump fan who had stayed through the night was Richard Potcner , a self-described citizen journalist , landscape designer and the doyen of the group , having been at Walter Reed since Trump was first helicoptered in on Friday evening .
He has been an outspoken sceptic on the seriousness of the coronavirus threat and the president ’ s illness had not changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him on the utility of wearing a mask .
“ I don ’ t know any animals that wear a mask and they ’ re not sick .
I got lots of friends that didn ’ t leave their house for six months and they got sick , ” Potcner said .
“ I got more friends who wore a mask every day and they got sick .
And I know friends who are cashiers , they ’ ve been working as cashiers for six months , and they ’ re not sick.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s coronavirus episode would only enhance his chances of re-election .
“ Look – we are in this liberal weird little swamp here , ” Potcner said , pointing towards the centre of Washington .
“ The swamp is right there and you should have heard the horns going past last night .
The horns are deafening liberal America.
” The honking of passing horns was nothing , however , compared to the roar from the crowd that rallied by Sunday evening when a motorcade of black cars emerged from another hospital gate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president staring out from his vehicle .
The drive-past came to a surprise to almost everyone .
Not even the White House press pool had been alerted .
Trump had recorded a video earlier , in which he expressed his thrill at seeing the loyalty of the fans at the gate .
They were “ great patriots ” who had “ been out there for a long time and they ’ ve got Trump flags and they love our country ” .
The crowd ran after his car waving their flags , giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he has said keeps him energised in his toughest moment .
It went against any doctor ’ s recommendations and exposed his bodyguards to risk , but to Trump it was the medicine he really needed .

By the time the sun rose on Walter Reed medical center in suburban Washington on Sunday, a small but diverse group of 15 supporters had gathered by the gate, waving Trump banners towards the passing drivers, whose reactions ranged from a honking horn to a middle finger and curses.
By evening, the gathering of the faithful had swollen to several score and their patience and resolve was rewarded by a slow drive-past by the first patient himself, determine to show his followers he was undimmed by his brush with virus, whatever the cost to the Secret Service men obliged to sit in his hermetically sealed armoured car.
Ann and James Wass had been there since before dawn and had been unperturbed by the negative reactions in this solidly Democratic neighbourhood. They had come to pray for Donald Trump and were inviting everyone who passed to do the same, whatever their religious inclination.
They were not wearing masks because they were outdoors, the Wasses said, despite the close proximity to their fellow Trump fans.
“Some people get sick, some people don’t get sick,” Ann observed. The president would pull through despite his age, she predicted, because he did not smoke or drink and got regular exercise, though she did concede “he is a tad overweight”.
By nine, the sunlight was illuminating the smooth green lawns that slope up to the imposing art deco tower of the US navy hospital. The Wasses, however, had been there since six, arriving from their Maryland home when, as James put it, “the moon was doing a nice dance in the western sky”.
Supporters of Donald Trump hold signs and wave flags outside Walter Reed medical center in Bethesda, Maryland, on 4 October. Photograph: Alex Edelman/AFP/Getty Images
By then, the crowd of about 50 supporters who had been at the gate on Saturday night had dispersed and there was just a determined handful who had stayed overnight. That included five Chinese exiles who were members of a new organisation called the New Federal State of China, created in June by the rightwing ideologue and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and a New York-based Chinese businessman, Guo Wengui.
The Chinese demonstrators held up signs saying “Take Down the CCP” (Chinese Communist party) and “CCP Virus Kill People”, while displaying a more detailed sign that accused the Chinese government of unleashing the coronavirus deliberately. They could not explain further as none of the five spoke English.
The only non-Chinese Trump fan who had stayed through the night was Richard Potcner, a self-described citizen journalist, landscape designer and the doyen of the group, having been at Walter Reed since Trump was first helicoptered in on Friday evening.
He has been an outspoken sceptic on the seriousness of the coronavirus threat and the president’s illness had not changed his mind. Nor had it swayed him on the utility of wearing a mask.
“I don’t know any animals that wear a mask and they’re not sick. I got lots of friends that didn’t leave their house for six months and they got sick,” Potcner said. “I got more friends who wore a mask every day and they got sick. And I know friends who are cashiers, they’ve been working as cashiers for six months, and they’re not sick.”
Overall, he predicted Trump’s coronavirus episode would only enhance his chances of re-election.
“Look – we are in this liberal weird little swamp here,” Potcner said, pointing towards the centre of Washington. “The swamp is right there and you should have heard the horns going past last night. The horns are deafening liberal America.”
The honking of passing horns was nothing, however, compared with the roar from the crowd that rallied by Sunday evening when a motorcade of black cars emerged from another hospital gate and drove past slowly, a masked president staring out from his vehicle.
The drive-past came as a surprise to almost everyone. Not even the White House press pool had been alerted. Trump had recorded a video earlier, in which he expressed his thrill at seeing the loyalty of the fans at the gate. They were “great patriots” who had “been out there for a long time and they’ve got Trump flags and they love our country”.
The crowd ran after his car waving their flags, giving the president a fix of the adoration which he has said keeps him energised in his toughest moment. It went against any doctor’s recommendations and exposed his bodyguards to risk, but to Trump it was the medicine he really needed.


theguardian--2020-10-04--Sean Conley: who is the Trump doctor whose updates are raising questions

Donald Trump has often boasted of surrounding himself with “ the best people ” and the medical skills of Dr Sean Conley , the personal physician now charged with steering the US president back to health through his encounter with Covid-19 , have never been called into question .
In attempting to present a true picture of the state of Trump ’ s health this weekend , however , Conley has shown a less-than-steady hand .
Two bumpy press conferences in consecutive days on the steps of Maryland ’ s Walter Reed military medical center have raised more questions than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump himself is controlling the information he is allowing his most senior doctor to release .
Conley was named the acting White House physician in March 2018 when Trump ’ s first choice , Dr Ronny Jackson , withdrew .
Trained as an osteopath , Conley , who is also a US navy commander , was confirmed to the role two months later .
Until Saturday , other than an eyebrow-raising signing off on Trump taking the unproven drug hydroxychloroquine in June , Conley has remained out of the spotlight .
But in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours after the president was airlifted to hospital by helicopter , Conley was evasive when questioned on the medical detail of Trump ’ s condition , such as his oxygen levels and effect of the virus on his internal organs .
He opted instead to give an upbeat portrayal of Trump ’ s health , using vague phrases including “ doing very well ” and “ no cause for concern ” .
Sunday ’ s briefing was a near-repeat , short on precise detail or complete answers , yet painting a rosy picture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the medical team that Trump could be discharged as early as Friday .
The president , Conley claimed , had “ continued to improve ” despite admitting Trump had needed supplemental oxygen in recent days on at least two occasions that he had previously denied , and was now taking a third drug – the steroid dexamethasone – on top of doses of the antivirals REGN-COV2 and remdesivir .
Puzzlingly , Conley also said he gave such an upbeat assessment the previous day because “ I didn ’ t want to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of illness in another direction ” .
The overall effect of the two press conferences was to leave medical experts , political analysts and the public at large still searching for the truth as to how sick the US president really is .
Suspicions that Conley was only revealing what the president was allowing him to were fuelled on Sunday by reports that Trump was “ rip pissed ” with Mark Meadows , his chief of staff , for giving reporters a contradictory and more serious account of his health after the Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were trying to hide something , which wasn ’ t necessarily true , ” Conley said on Sunday .
“ The fact of the matter is that he ’ s doing really well.
” How soon Trump is released from Walter Reed remains to be seen , but Conley ’ s confusing and conflicting statements over the weekend have done little to quell speculation that the decision , when made , could be a political calculation as much as any call on medical grounds .
Conley was born in Pennsylvania in 1980 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Osteopathic Medicine in 2006 before undertaking a medical residency at a navy base in Virginia .
He also served in Afghanistan , acting as head of a trauma unit at a multinational Nato base .
As a military doctor , he was considered perfect for a role at the White House , which traditionally recruits doctors who have served .
Conley met his wife Kristin at medical school and the couple have two sons and a daughter , who was born during her father ’ s tour of duty in Afghanistan .
Kristin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medicine for the Frederick Health medical group in Maryland .

Donald Trump has often boasted of surrounding himself with “the best people” and the medical skills of Dr Sean Conley, the personal physician now charged with steering the US president back to health through his encounter with Covid-19, have never been called into question.
In attempting to present a true picture of the state of Trump’s health this weekend, however, Conley has shown a less-than-steady hand. Two bumpy press conferences in consecutive days on the steps of Maryland’s Walter Reed military medical center have raised more questions than answers, and have some wondering if Trump himself is controlling the information he is allowing his most senior doctor to release.
Conley was named the acting White House physician in March 2018 when Trump’s first choice, Dr Ronny Jackson, withdrew. Trained as an osteopathic physician, Conley, who is also a US navy commander, was confirmed to the role two months later.
Until Saturday, other than an eyebrow-raising signing off on Trump taking the unproven drug hydroxychloroquine in June, Conley has remained out of the spotlight.
But in Saturday’s first press conference, hours after the president was airlifted to hospital by helicopter, Conley was evasive when questioned on the medical detail of Trump’s condition, such as his oxygen levels and effect of the virus on his internal organs. He opted instead to give an upbeat portrayal of Trump’s health, using vague phrases including “doing very well” and “no cause for concern”.
Sunday’s briefing was a near-repeat, short on precise detail or complete answers, yet painting a rosy picture that included an assertion from one doctor in the medical team that Trump could be discharged as early as Monday.
The president, Conley claimed, had “continued to improve” despite admitting Trump had needed supplemental oxygen in recent days on at least two occasions that he had previously denied, and was now taking a third drug – the steroid dexamethasone – on top of doses of the antivirals REGN-COV2 and remdesivir.
Puzzlingly, Conley also said he gave such an upbeat assessment the previous day because “I didn’t want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction”.
The overall effect of the two press conferences was to leave medical experts, political analysts and the public at large still searching for the truth as to how sick the US president really is.
Suspicions that Conley was only revealing what the president was allowing him to were fuelled on Sunday by reports that Trump was “rip pissed” with Mark Meadows, his chief of staff, for giving reporters a contradictory and more serious account of his health after the Saturday briefing.
“It came off that we were trying to hide something, which wasn’t necessarily true,” Conley said on Sunday. “The fact of the matter is that he’s doing really well.”
How soon Trump is released from Walter Reed remains to be seen, but Conley’s confusing and conflicting statements over the weekend have done little to quell speculation that the decision, when made, could be a political calculation as much as any call on medical grounds.
Background
Conley was born in Pennsylvania in 1980 and graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2006 before undertaking a medical residency at a navy base in Virginia. He also served in Afghanistan, acting as head of a trauma unit at a multinational Nato base.
As a military doctor, he was considered perfect for a role at the White House, which traditionally recruits doctors who have served.
Conley met his wife Kristin at medical school and the couple have two sons and a daughter, who was born during her father’s tour of duty in Afghanistan. Kristin Conley works as a doctor of internal medicine for the Frederick Health medical group in Maryland.


theguardian--2020-10-04--Who in Trump's inner circle has tested positive for coronavirus?

Donald Trump announced he had tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday , shortly after reports emerged that his close aide Hope Hicks had contracted the illness .
Since then , several member of the president ’ s inner circle have tested positive .
It is not known where Trump contracted the virus .
After being exposed , it can take several days for the virus to be detected by a test .
People in his circle who have tested positive this week were with the president at a White House ceremony for Judge Amy Coney Barrett on 26 September , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Force One .
There has been no information on whether White House support staff , such as cleaners and chefs , have tested positive .
At least three reporters who cover the White House tested positive on Friday .
The first lady has remained at the White House and is said to have “ mild symptoms ” .
She was one of seven people to test positive for coronavirus after attending the Coney Barrett ceremony .
There was also a smaller group of guests at a reception inside the White House .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House aide tested positive for the virus .
Trump ’ s positive test results were publicized the next day .
The former New Jersey governor said he checked himself into the hospital on Saturday after experiencing mild symptoms and testing positive .
Christie said his hospital admission was also a precautionary measure because he has asthma .
The assistant acts as one of Trump ’ s “ body men ” and works in close proximity with Trump to address his daily needs .
His positive test was first reported by Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event and was not wearing a mask .
He attended an in-person Senate Republican lunch on Wednesday .
The Republican was also at the Rose Garden event , where he wore a mask , and at the Senate lunch on Wednesday .
The Republican was recently in a 14-day quarantine under the belief he had been exposed to the virus .
He tested negative after it ended , however , and had attended a Senate Republican lunch this week .
The RNC said McDaniel tested positive on Wednesday and had been at her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The campaign manager tested positive on Friday and has “ mild flu-like ” symptoms .
Stepien traveled to Cleveland for the debate last week on Air Force One with the president and Hicks .

Donald Trump announced he had tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday, shortly after reports emerged that his close aide Hope Hicks had contracted the illness.
Since then, several member of the president’s inner circle have tested positive.
It is not known where Trump contracted the virus. After being exposed, it can take several days for the virus to be detected by a test. People in his circle who have tested positive this week were with the president at a White House ceremony for Judge Amy Coney Barrett on 26 September, preparation sessions for the debate and on Air Force One.
There has been no information on whether White House support staff, such as cleaners and chefs, have tested positive. At least three reporters who cover the White House tested positive on Friday.
Donald Trump introduces Judge Amy Coney Barrett in the Rose Garden of the White House on 26 September. Photograph: Shawn Thew/EPA
Melania Trump
The first lady has remained at the White House and is said to have “mild symptoms”. She was one of seven people to test positive for coronavirus after attending the Coney Barrett ceremony. There was also a smaller group of guests at a reception inside the White House.
Hope Hicks
Bloomberg News first reported on Thursday that the White House aide tested positive for the virus. Trump’s positive test results were publicized the next day.
Kellyanne Conway
Trump’s former counselor attended last Saturday’s Rose Garden event.
Trump adviser Chris Christie
The former New Jersey governor said he checked himself into the hospital on Saturday after experiencing mild symptoms and testing positive. Christie said his hospital admission was also a precautionary measure because he has asthma.
Presidential assistant Nicholas Luna
The assistant acts as one of Trump’s “body men” and works in close proximity with Trump to address his daily needs. His positive test was first reported by Bloomberg.
Republican senator Mike Lee of Utah
The Republican attended the Rose Garden event and was not wearing a mask. He attended an in-person Senate Republican lunch on Wednesday.
Republican senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina
The Republican was also at the Rose Garden event, where he wore a mask, and at the Senate lunch on Wednesday.
Republican senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin
The Republican was recently in a 14-day quarantine under the belief he had been exposed to the virus. He tested negative after it ended, however, and had attended a Senate Republican lunch this week.
Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel
The RNC said McDaniel tested positive on Wednesday and had been at her home in Michigan since 26 September.
Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien
The campaign manager tested positive on Friday and has “mild flu-like” symptoms. Stepien traveled to Cleveland for the debate last week on Air Force One with the president and Hicks.


theguardian--2020-10-04--Trump doctors say president's oxygen dropped twice but insist he's improving

Donald Trump ’ s doctors have said his oxygen levels had dipped suddenly twice in two days and he was on medication normally prescribed for severe coronavirus cases , but they insisted his condition was improving and he could be discharged as early as Monday .
The mixed messages delivered outside Walter Reed hospital in the Washington suburbs , added to the confusion over the president ’ s condition as well as suspicions that the medical team were providing a deceptively rosy account , on White House instructions .
Trump posted a video message on Sunday night saying he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and later drove past a crowd of his supporters at the hospital gates in his motorcade .
He was masked but accompanied by Secret Service agents in his hermetically-sealed armoured car , exposing them to the possibility of infection .
“ Taking a joy ride outside Walter Reed the president is placing his Secret Service detail at grave risk , ” Jonathan Reiner , professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University , tweeted , pointing out that when doctors came into contact with a Covid patient they wore full PPE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of irresponsibility.
” The drive past cheering supporters was the latest move in a concerted White House effort to emphasise the president ’ s continued vigour .
That campaign has included photos of him at a desk at the hospital signing papers that turned out , on close inspection , to be blank pages .
It has involved the president ’ s physician , Dr Sean Conley , a navy commander delivering deceptive bulletins on the president ’ s health .
On Sunday , Conley admitted having misled reporters in a press briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president had not been given supplemental oxygen .
He revealed that Trump was put on oxygen on Friday morning after worrying signs emerged , and that Conley had not reported the development because he did not want to spoil the “ upbeat attitude ” of the president and his medical team .
“ Late Friday morning when I returned to the bedside , President had a high fever and his oxygen saturation was transiently dipping below 94 % , ” Dr Conley said on Sunday , providing details he had concealed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developments I was concerned for possible rapid progression of the illness .
I recommended the president we try some supplemental oxygen .
See how he ’ d respond .
He was fairly adamant that he didn ’ t need it.
” The doctors appeared to have convinced Trump to take the oxygen feed .
“ He stayed on that for about an hour maybe , and then it was off and gone.
” Asked why he earlier denied the president had been put on oxygen , Conley responded : “ I was trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team , the president , the course of illness , has had.
” He added : “ I didn ’ t want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction , and in doing so it came off that we were trying to hide something , which wasn ’ t necessarily true.
” Trump ’ s illness has upended the US election , which is due to take place on 3 November .
His Democratic challenger , Joe Biden , pulled his attack ads off the air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical briefing on Sunday also revealed that Trump ’ s blood oxygen had dipped for a second time on Saturday , but it was unclear how low it had sunk in the two incidents .
Conley was vague on the specifics .
“ It was below 94 % , it wasn ’ t down in the low 80s or anything , ” the doctor said .
Oxygen saturation is an important measure of the seriousness of any coronavirus infection .
Normal levels are between 95 and 100 % , and any drop below @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conley was also vague on the result of a scan of the president ’ s lungs , saying that it had shown “ expected findings ” , without clarifying what that meant .
The medical team ended the press conference and re-entered the hospital as journalists asked for more details .
They said that the president had been prescribed Remdesivir , an antiviral medication and dexamethasone , a steroid which the World Health Organization recommends for only “ severe and critical ” Covid-19 cases .
Trump has also been given monoclonal antibodies ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cell ) , an experimental treatment which has so far been prescribed to less than 10 people , before finishing trials , for “ compassionate use ” .
However , Dr Brian Garibaldi , another member of the medical team said Trump was feeling well and his condition was improving .
“ 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 , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old and clinically obese , putting him at higher risk of serious complications .
The White House has advanced medical facilities , but the suggestion that Trump would return home after two incidents of hypoxia ( low oxygen ) and being on medication normally reserved for severe cases , surprised many health professionals .
Robert Wachter , the chair of the department of medicine at the University of California in San Francisco said “ it seems like an awful call ” .
“ It seems like Trump is stable , but remains at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some findings on chest imaging , ” Wachter wrote on Twitter .
“ The happy talk and evasions are clearly at Trump ’ s direction , putting the docs in a terrible position .
No way he ’ s ready for discharge tomorrow.
” In his video on Sunday afternoon , Trump said he had found out a lot of new information about the disease and would soon be passing on that knowledge .
“ It ’ s been a very interesting journey I learned a lot about Covid , ” Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I understand it , and it ’ s very interesting thing I ’ m going to be letting you know about it.
” Alongside the mixed signals about the president ’ s current health , there is also uncertainty as to when and how he was infected , how long he had known , and how many people he may have infected since becoming aware he had the disease .
The contact-tracing effort has focused on a White House event on 26 September to celebrate the nomination of Trump ’ s pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett , where more than 150 senior White House officials and top Republicans mingled without masks outside and inside , shaking hands , clustering in small groups and hugging each other .
Among those who attended and have now tested positive : the former New Jersey governor Chris Christie , former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway , the president of the University of Notre Dame , John Jenkins , and at least two Republican senators , Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina .
Also infected are the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head of the Republican National Committee , Ronna McDaniel , and Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin , who were not at the Barrett event , raising the prospect that the White House and Republican party held more than one event that resulted in the spread of the virus among their top ranks .
Talking to the press after the medical briefing , the White House spokeswoman Alyssa Farah would not answer questions on when the president was first tested on Thursday .
Asked why he had decided to travel to his golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that day , even after his close adviser , Hope Hicks , had been confirmed positive , Farah said it “ was a decision made by White House operations because he wasn ’ t deemed to pose a threat ” .
Trump took part in two fundraising receptions at Bedminster on Thursday as well as a roundtable with supporters .
Attendees have since been sent emails from the Trump Organization , advising them to see a doctor if they started suffering symptoms .
The New Jersey health department said on Sunday the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who had attended Thursday ’ s Trump events in Bedminster .
Asked about Conley ’ s initial denial that the president was on oxygen , Farah said : “ When you ’ re treating a patient , you want to project confidence , you want to lift their spirits and that was the intent .
”

Julian Borger in Washington and Amanda Holpuch in New York

Donald Trump’s doctors have said his oxygen levels had dipped suddenly twice in two days and he was on medication normally prescribed for severe coronavirus cases, but they insisted his condition was improving and he could be discharged as early as Monday.
The mixed messages delivered outside Walter Reed hospital in the Washington suburbs, added to the confusion over the president’s condition as well as suspicions that the medical team were providing a deceptively rosy account, on White House instructions.
Trump posted a video message on Sunday night saying he was “getting great reports from the doctors” and later drove past a crowd of his supporters at the hospital gates in his motorcade. He was masked but accompanied by Secret Service agents in his hermetically sealed armoured car, exposing them to the possibility of infection.
“Taking a joy ride outside Walter Reed the president is placing his Secret Service detail at grave risk,” Jonathan Reiner, professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University, tweeted, pointing out that when doctors came into contact with a Covid patient they wore full PPE protection. “This is the height of irresponsibility.”
Donald Trump waves from the back of a car outside Walter Reed medical center in Bethesda, Maryland, on 4 October. Photograph: Alex Edelman/AFP/Getty Images
The drive past cheering supporters was the latest move in a concerted White House effort to emphasise the president’s continued vigour. That campaign has included photos of him at a desk at the hospital signing papers that turned out, on close inspection, to be blank pages.
It has involved the president’s physician, Dr Sean Conley, a navy commander delivering deceptive bulletins on the president’s health. On Sunday, Conley admitted having misled reporters in a press briefing the previous day when he insisted that the president had not been given supplemental oxygen. He revealed that Trump was put on oxygen on Friday morning after worrying signs emerged, and that Conley had not reported the development because he did not want to spoil the “upbeat attitude” of the president and his medical team.
“Late Friday morning when I returned to the bedside, President had a high fever and his oxygen saturation was transiently dipping below 94%,” Dr Conley said on Sunday, providing details he had concealed the previous day. “Given these two developments I was concerned for possible rapid progression of the illness. I recommended the president we try some supplemental oxygen. See how he’d respond. He was fairly adamant that he didn’t need it.”
The doctors appeared to have convinced Trump to take the oxygen feed. “He stayed on that for about an hour maybe, and then it was off and gone.”
Asked why he earlier denied the president had been put on oxygen, Conley responded: “I was trying to reflect the upbeat attitude that the team, the president, the course of illness, has had.”
He added: “I didn’t want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction, and in doing so it came off that we were trying to hide something, which wasn’t necessarily true.”
Trump’s illness has upended the US election, which is due to take place on 3 November. His Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, pulled his attack ads off the air when Trump went into hospital.
The medical briefing on Sunday also revealed that Trump’s blood oxygen had dipped for a second time on Saturday, but it was unclear how low it had sunk in the two incidents. Conley was vague on the specifics.
“It was below 94%, it wasn’t down in the low 80s or anything,” the doctor said.
Oxygen saturation is an important measure of the seriousness of any coronavirus infection. Normal levels are between 95 and 100%, and any drop below 90% would be considered grave.
Conley was also vague on the result of a scan of the president’s lungs, saying that it had shown “expected findings”, without clarifying what that meant. The medical team ended the press conference and re-entered the hospital as journalists asked for more details.
They said that the president had been prescribed Remdesivir, an antiviral medication and dexamethasone, a steroid which the World Health Organization recommends for only “severe and critical” Covid-19 cases. Trump has also been given monoclonal antibodies (antibodies all generated from the same parent cell), an experimental treatment which has so far been prescribed to fewer than 10 people, before finishing trials, for “compassionate use”.
However, Dr Brian Garibaldi, another member of the medical team said Trump was feeling well and his condition was improving.
“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,” Garibaldi said.
Trump is 74 years old and clinically obese, putting him at higher risk of serious complications.
The White House has advanced medical facilities, but the suggestion that Trump would return home after two incidents of hypoxia (low oxygen) and being on medication normally reserved for severe cases, surprised many health professionals.
Robert Wachter, the chair of the department of medicine at the University of California in San Francisco said “it seems like an awful call”.
“It seems like Trump is stable, but remains at high risk, given transient hypoxemia, some findings on chest imaging,” Wachter wrote on Twitter. “The happy talk and evasions are clearly at Trump’s direction, putting the docs in a terrible position. No way he’s ready for discharge tomorrow.”
In his video on Sunday afternoon, Trump said he had found out a lot of new information about the disease and would soon be passing on that knowledge.
“It’s been a very interesting journey. I learned a lot about Covid,” Trump said. “And I get it, and I understand it, and it’s very interesting thing I’m going to be letting you know about it.”
Alongside the mixed signals about the president’s current health, there is also uncertainty as to when and how he was infected, how long he had known, and how many people he may have infected since becoming aware he had the disease.
The contact-tracing effort has focused on a White House event on 26 September to celebrate the nomination of Trump’s pick for the supreme court, Amy Coney Barrett, where more than 150 senior White House officials and top Republicans mingled without masks outside and inside, shaking hands, clustering in small groups and hugging each other.
Among those who attended and have now tested positive: the former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, the president of the University of Notre Dame, John Jenkins, and at least two Republican senators, Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
Also infected are the president’s campaign manager, Bill Stepien, the head of the Republican National Committee, Ronna McDaniel, and Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who were not at the Barrett event, raising the prospect that the White House and Republican party held more than one event that resulted in the spread of the virus among their top ranks.
Talking to the press after the medical briefing, the White House spokeswoman Alyssa Farah would not answer questions on when the president was first tested on Thursday. Asked why he had decided to travel to his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, that day, even after his close adviser, Hope Hicks, had been confirmed positive, Farah said it “was a decision made by White House operations because he wasn’t deemed to pose a threat”. Trump took part in two fundraising receptions at Bedminster on Thursday as well as a roundtable with supporters. Attendees have since been sent emails from the Trump Organization, advising them to see a doctor if they started suffering symptoms.
The New Jersey health department said on Sunday the White House had supplied the names of 206 people who had attended Thursday’s Trump events in Bedminster.
Asked about Conley’s initial denial that the president was on oxygen, Farah said: “When you’re treating a patient, you want to project confidence, you want to lift their spirits and that was the intent.”