This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/us/politics/coronavirus-white-house-military-aide.html

The article has changed 29 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
White House Rattled by a Military Aide’s Positive Coronavirus Test White House Rattled by a Military Aide’s Positive Coronavirus Test
(32 minutes later)
WASHINGTON — President Trump said on Thursday that the White House staff would be tested every day for the coronavirus after a military aide who has had contact with him was found to have the virus.WASHINGTON — President Trump said on Thursday that the White House staff would be tested every day for the coronavirus after a military aide who has had contact with him was found to have the virus.
Asked by reporters about the aide, Mr. Trump downplayed the matter. “I’ve had very little contact, personal contact, with this gentleman,” he said. But he added that he and other officials and staff members at the White House would be tested more frequently. Asked by reporters about the aide, whom a senior administration official described as a personal valet to the president, Mr. Trump downplayed the matter. “I’ve had very little contact, personal contact, with this gentleman,” he said. But he added that he and other officials and staff members at the White House would be tested more frequently.
A White House spokesman said that Mr. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence had both tested negative for the virus since their exposure to the military aide and were “in great health.” But the episode raised new questions about how well-protected Mr. Trump and other top officials are as they work at the White House, typically without wearing masks.A White House spokesman said that Mr. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence had both tested negative for the virus since their exposure to the military aide and were “in great health.” But the episode raised new questions about how well-protected Mr. Trump and other top officials are as they work at the White House, typically without wearing masks.
The military aide’s illness was first reported by CNN on the day before eight World War II veterans — each older than 95, an age group at high statistical risk for serious illness from the virus — are scheduled to take part in a photo-op at the White House and an event at the World War II Memorial nearby to celebrate the 75th anniversary on Friday of the German surrender, known as V-E Day.The military aide’s illness was first reported by CNN on the day before eight World War II veterans — each older than 95, an age group at high statistical risk for serious illness from the virus — are scheduled to take part in a photo-op at the White House and an event at the World War II Memorial nearby to celebrate the 75th anniversary on Friday of the German surrender, known as V-E Day.
Judd Deere, the deputy White House press secretary, said in a statement that Mr. Trump’s physician and the White House’s operations team takes “every precaution” to protect the president, his family and the White House complex.Judd Deere, the deputy White House press secretary, said in a statement that Mr. Trump’s physician and the White House’s operations team takes “every precaution” to protect the president, his family and the White House complex.
“In addition to social distancing, daily temperature checks and symptom histories, hand sanitizer, and regular deep cleaning of all work spaces, every staff member in close proximity to the president and vice president is being tested daily for Covid-19 as well as any guests,” Mr. Deere said.“In addition to social distancing, daily temperature checks and symptom histories, hand sanitizer, and regular deep cleaning of all work spaces, every staff member in close proximity to the president and vice president is being tested daily for Covid-19 as well as any guests,” Mr. Deere said.
Mr. Trump has said that the White House uses a test kit made by Abbott, which can return results on the spot in as little as five minutes. But health professionals have warned that the Abbott test kit produces less reliable results than those shipped to labs but which can take days. And even as he announced the increased frequency of the tests, the president appeared to cast doubt on their value.Mr. Trump has said that the White House uses a test kit made by Abbott, which can return results on the spot in as little as five minutes. But health professionals have warned that the Abbott test kit produces less reliable results than those shipped to labs but which can take days. And even as he announced the increased frequency of the tests, the president appeared to cast doubt on their value.
”It just shows you the fallacy — what I’ve been saying, testing is not a perfect art,” he said. “No matter what you do, testing is not a perfect art.””It just shows you the fallacy — what I’ve been saying, testing is not a perfect art,” he said. “No matter what you do, testing is not a perfect art.”
It was unclear what he meant. If anything, the White House’s shift to more frequent testing validates the view of public health experts that exponentially more testing is needed nationwide to contain the virus’s spread.It was unclear what he meant. If anything, the White House’s shift to more frequent testing validates the view of public health experts that exponentially more testing is needed nationwide to contain the virus’s spread.
Before departing for a trip to Arizona on Tuesday, Mr. Trump said he was unconcerned about the health risks of traveling because the people joining him, including members of his Secret Service detail, had been tested in the past hour. “We have great testing,” he said.Before departing for a trip to Arizona on Tuesday, Mr. Trump said he was unconcerned about the health risks of traveling because the people joining him, including members of his Secret Service detail, had been tested in the past hour. “We have great testing,” he said.
The president has not been seeing wearing a mask, and few top White House officials do so. Asked about the practice, which public health experts strongly recommend, Mr. Trump insisted that “a lot of people in the White House wear masks,” adding, “I see it all the time.” The president has not been seen wearing a mask, and few top White House officials do so. Asked about the practice, which public health experts strongly recommend, Mr. Trump insisted that “a lot of people in the White House wear masks,” adding, “I see it all the time.”
As part of the celebration, the veterans will have their pictures taken at the White House with the secretaries of defense and state as well as the first lady, Melania Trump, and the president, according to a schedule prepared by the Greatest Generations Foundation, which organized the event.As part of the celebration, the veterans will have their pictures taken at the White House with the secretaries of defense and state as well as the first lady, Melania Trump, and the president, according to a schedule prepared by the Greatest Generations Foundation, which organized the event.
The schedule says the men, who range in age from 96 to 100, will be tested before they enter the White House grounds. The group is then expected to ride in the president’s motorcade to the memorial for the ceremony At least one family member worries that the event will endanger the men at a time when the virus is still spreading in Washington.The schedule says the men, who range in age from 96 to 100, will be tested before they enter the White House grounds. The group is then expected to ride in the president’s motorcade to the memorial for the ceremony At least one family member worries that the event will endanger the men at a time when the virus is still spreading in Washington.
“I think it’s very irresponsible to have the last remaining World War II veterans travel across the country to take a photograph during a global pandemic,” said Alex Melikian, the granddaughter of Sgt. Gregory Melikian, 97, one of the men who will be meeting the president.“I think it’s very irresponsible to have the last remaining World War II veterans travel across the country to take a photograph during a global pandemic,” said Alex Melikian, the granddaughter of Sgt. Gregory Melikian, 97, one of the men who will be meeting the president.
“People over the age of 80 have the highest chance of passing away from this. If he gets it, this could be the end,” she said of her grandfather, who was a radio operator who worked for General Dwight D. Eisenhower during the war. “I know it’s his choice to go, but it’s irresponsible to even have an event like this in the first place.”“People over the age of 80 have the highest chance of passing away from this. If he gets it, this could be the end,” she said of her grandfather, who was a radio operator who worked for General Dwight D. Eisenhower during the war. “I know it’s his choice to go, but it’s irresponsible to even have an event like this in the first place.”
Administration officials said the foundation had contacted the White House several weeks ago about participating in any celebration Mr. Trump held to mark the victory over German forces in Europe. The foundation chose the veterans who are taking part in the event, officials said, adding that the White House was taking precautions to keep the veterans, the president and others safe.Administration officials said the foundation had contacted the White House several weeks ago about participating in any celebration Mr. Trump held to mark the victory over German forces in Europe. The foundation chose the veterans who are taking part in the event, officials said, adding that the White House was taking precautions to keep the veterans, the president and others safe.
“Leave it to the media to question eight brave war heroes for joining the president of the United States at the nation’s World War II Memorial on the 75th anniversary of V-E Day,” Mr. Deere said.“Leave it to the media to question eight brave war heroes for joining the president of the United States at the nation’s World War II Memorial on the 75th anniversary of V-E Day,” Mr. Deere said.
“As young men, these heroes stared evil in the eyes,” he said. “No pandemic will stop them from joining their commander in chief for this momentous occasion.”“As young men, these heroes stared evil in the eyes,” he said. “No pandemic will stop them from joining their commander in chief for this momentous occasion.”
Timothy Davis, the president of the foundation, said he reached out to the White House after the group’s original trip to mark the anniversary, to Moscow, was canceled because of the pandemic. He said he was happy when he received the president’s invitation.Timothy Davis, the president of the foundation, said he reached out to the White House after the group’s original trip to mark the anniversary, to Moscow, was canceled because of the pandemic. He said he was happy when he received the president’s invitation.
“We know we are going to be losing them quickly over the coming years,” he said of the remaining World War II veterans.“We know we are going to be losing them quickly over the coming years,” he said of the remaining World War II veterans.
Mr. Davis said he respected the concerns of people like Ms. Melikian. But he said the veterans understood and accepted the risk. “This is their wish. They know they don’t have much time left. Their voices, their stories need to be told,” he said. “They were adamant they wanted to do this.”Mr. Davis said he respected the concerns of people like Ms. Melikian. But he said the veterans understood and accepted the risk. “This is their wish. They know they don’t have much time left. Their voices, their stories need to be told,” he said. “They were adamant they wanted to do this.”
Ms. Melikian said she was still concerned that her grandfather might not survive if he fell ill, and that he could carry the virus home to Arizona. “When he comes back, he could pass it along to my grandma,” she said. “He shouldn’t be leaving his house. ”Ms. Melikian said she was still concerned that her grandfather might not survive if he fell ill, and that he could carry the virus home to Arizona. “When he comes back, he could pass it along to my grandma,” she said. “He shouldn’t be leaving his house. ”
Maggie Haberman contributed reporting from New York.