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Trump and first lady showing 'mild symptoms' after positive Covid tests – live Donald and Melania Trump showing 'mild symptoms' as Biden tests negative for Covid – live
(32 minutes later)
White House confirms president has mild symptoms, while first lady tweets that she has the same but is ‘overall feeling good’ White House confirms president has mild symptoms, while Biden campaign confirms Democratic nominee and his wife, Jill Biden, tested negative
After his campaign confirmed he had tested negative for coronavirus, Joe Biden thanked everyone who had expressed concern for his health.
“I’m happy to report that Jill and I have tested negative for COVID,” Biden said in a tweet. “Thank you to everyone for your messages of concern. I hope this serves as a reminder: wear a mask, keep social distance, and wash your hands.”
Joe Biden’s personal physician confirmed the Democratic nominee and his wife, Jill Biden, have tested negative for coronavirus.
“Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden underwent PCR testing for COVID-19 today and COVID-19 was not detected,” Dr Kevin O’Connor said in a statement released by the Biden campaign.
O’Connor added, “I am reporting this out in my capacity as both Vice President Biden and Dr. Biden’s primary care physician.”
Biden saw Trump on Tuesday, when the two participated in the first presidential debate, but there was minimal contact between the two nominees because they were instructed not to shake hands and to stay several feet apart from each other.
Democratic nominee Joe Biden has tested negative for coronavirus, according to an NBC News reporter.
Biden spent 90 minutes on a debate stage with Trump on Tuesday, but the two nominees were instructed not to shake hands and to remain several feet apart from each other.
Senator Mike Lee was at the White House on Saturday for the announcement of Amy Coney Barrett’s supreme court nomination.
Lee hugged some of the guests at the Rose Garden event while holding his mask in his hand, disregarding coronavirus guidelines to wear a mask while in close proximity to others.
Senator Mike Lee met with supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on Tuesday, two days before Lee tested positive for coronavirus.
That meeting could have put Barrett at risk of contracting coronavirus, raising the possibility that the judge will have to isolate in the days ahead.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and judiciary committee chairman Lindsey Graham have said Barrett’s confirmation hearings will start as planned on October 12.
Republican senator Mike Lee of Utah announced that he has also tested positive for coronavirus.
Lee said he sought a test yesterday after he experienced symptoms that he initially mistook for allergies.
“Unlike the test I took just a few days ago while visiting the White House, yesterday’s test came back positive,” Lee said in a statement posted to Twitter.
Lee said he would isolate for the next 10 days and would return to the Senate judiciary committee in time for supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings, which are scheduled to start on October 12.
Over the past five days the president has behaved with the same reckless disregard for public health rules that has characterised his response since January to the global coronavirus pandemic.Over the past five days the president has behaved with the same reckless disregard for public health rules that has characterised his response since January to the global coronavirus pandemic.
Viewed with hindsight, his meetings during the last week look ill-judged, to say the least. On Monday, Trump appeared in the White House’s Rose Garden.Viewed with hindsight, his meetings during the last week look ill-judged, to say the least. On Monday, Trump appeared in the White House’s Rose Garden.
His audience was made up of members of Congress and state officials. Few wore masks. Neither did Trump or the vice-president Mike Pence, who followed the president to the podium. Other administration officials who were present included the health secretary, Alex M Azar, and the education secretary, Betsy DeVos. Earlier, Trump inspected a truck on the south lawn and met manufacturers from Ohio.His audience was made up of members of Congress and state officials. Few wore masks. Neither did Trump or the vice-president Mike Pence, who followed the president to the podium. Other administration officials who were present included the health secretary, Alex M Azar, and the education secretary, Betsy DeVos. Earlier, Trump inspected a truck on the south lawn and met manufacturers from Ohio.
On Tuesday, Trump boarded Air Force One en route to the debate in Ohio. With him was a large entourage. It included members of the Trump family: his wife Melania, adult children and senior staff. Also there was his trusted aide, 31-year-old Hope Hicks. Since joining his campaign in early 2015, Hicks was often at Trump’s side. She returned to his administration in spring, following an earlier spell as press secretary.On Tuesday, Trump boarded Air Force One en route to the debate in Ohio. With him was a large entourage. It included members of the Trump family: his wife Melania, adult children and senior staff. Also there was his trusted aide, 31-year-old Hope Hicks. Since joining his campaign in early 2015, Hicks was often at Trump’s side. She returned to his administration in spring, following an earlier spell as press secretary.
Trump’s family watched the debate from the audience. None wore masks. This show of support for the president was – it seemed - transgressive. And in clear breach of host rules, which called for blue surgical masks to be worn. A Cleveland clinic doctor in a white lab coat had even tried to approach Trump family guests, offering a mask. She was unsuccessful. Someone shook their head at her as she came close, according to a press pool report.Trump’s family watched the debate from the audience. None wore masks. This show of support for the president was – it seemed - transgressive. And in clear breach of host rules, which called for blue surgical masks to be worn. A Cleveland clinic doctor in a white lab coat had even tried to approach Trump family guests, offering a mask. She was unsuccessful. Someone shook their head at her as she came close, according to a press pool report.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement calling on the White House to launch an extensive contact tracing effort after the president tested positive for coronavirus.Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement calling on the White House to launch an extensive contact tracing effort after the president tested positive for coronavirus.
“I wish President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and any White House staff members who are infected a speedy recovery. I join the nation in praying for the First Family’s health and safety,” Schumer said.“I wish President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and any White House staff members who are infected a speedy recovery. I join the nation in praying for the First Family’s health and safety,” Schumer said.
“The infection of the President, First Lady and a close aide require that the White House immediately conduct a contact tracing regime that follows CDC guidelines, as well as thorough testing and isolation for those who were exposed to infection risk.”“The infection of the President, First Lady and a close aide require that the White House immediately conduct a contact tracing regime that follows CDC guidelines, as well as thorough testing and isolation for those who were exposed to infection risk.”
Schumer said anyone who came in contact with someone who has tested positive, including supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, should immediately isolate.Schumer said anyone who came in contact with someone who has tested positive, including supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, should immediately isolate.
The Senate leader also said the incident underscored the need for the chamber to launch its own testing and contact tracing program.The Senate leader also said the incident underscored the need for the chamber to launch its own testing and contact tracing program.
“Finally, what happened to President Trump is a reminder of why the whole country, including Senators and staff, must follow the science and follow the protocols laid out by the CDC and public health officials,” Schumer said.“Finally, what happened to President Trump is a reminder of why the whole country, including Senators and staff, must follow the science and follow the protocols laid out by the CDC and public health officials,” Schumer said.
“When you ignore the science, you don’t wear a mask, and you don’t follow social distancing guidelines, it puts you and everyone around you at risk. Following science is a must.”“When you ignore the science, you don’t wear a mask, and you don’t follow social distancing guidelines, it puts you and everyone around you at risk. Following science is a must.”
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said he spoke to Trump by phone this morning, after the president tested positive for coronavirus.Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said he spoke to Trump by phone this morning, after the president tested positive for coronavirus.
“He’s in good spirits and we talked business — especially how impressed Senators are with the qualifications of Judge Barrett,” McConnell said, referring to supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.“He’s in good spirits and we talked business — especially how impressed Senators are with the qualifications of Judge Barrett,” McConnell said, referring to supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
“Full steam ahead with the fair, thorough, timely process that the nominee, the Court, & the country deserve.”“Full steam ahead with the fair, thorough, timely process that the nominee, the Court, & the country deserve.”
Democrats have denounced Republicans’ efforts to get Barrett confirmed before election day, even though no supreme court nominee has ever been confirmed between July and November of an election year.Democrats have denounced Republicans’ efforts to get Barrett confirmed before election day, even though no supreme court nominee has ever been confirmed between July and November of an election year.
That criticism will likely only intensify now that Republicans are moving forward with their plans despite a health crisis in the White House.That criticism will likely only intensify now that Republicans are moving forward with their plans despite a health crisis in the White House.
Democratic nominee Joe Biden has reportedly received a coronavirus test and is awaiting his result.Democratic nominee Joe Biden has reportedly received a coronavirus test and is awaiting his result.
The AP reports:The AP reports:
Biden and Trump shared a debate stage for 90 minutes on Tuesday, but the two nominees were instructed not to shake hands and to stay several feet away from each other.Biden and Trump shared a debate stage for 90 minutes on Tuesday, but the two nominees were instructed not to shake hands and to stay several feet away from each other.
According to a department of justice spokesperson, attorney general William Barr has tested negative for coronavirus.According to a department of justice spokesperson, attorney general William Barr has tested negative for coronavirus.
Spokesperson Kerri Kupec previously said Barr had not seen Trump since Saturday, when the president announced the supreme court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett.Spokesperson Kerri Kupec previously said Barr had not seen Trump since Saturday, when the president announced the supreme court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett.
First lady Melania Trump confirmed she, like her husband, is experiencing mild symptoms of coronavirus.First lady Melania Trump confirmed she, like her husband, is experiencing mild symptoms of coronavirus.
“Thank you for the love you are sending our way,” the first lady said in a tweet. “I have mild symptoms but overall feeling good. I am looking forward to a speedy recovery.”“Thank you for the love you are sending our way,” the first lady said in a tweet. “I have mild symptoms but overall feeling good. I am looking forward to a speedy recovery.”
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows confirmed moments ago that the president is also showing mild symptoms.White House chief of staff Mark Meadows confirmed moments ago that the president is also showing mild symptoms.
A White House spokesperson previously told CNN that the president and first lady’s son, Barron, had tested negative for the virus.A White House spokesperson previously told CNN that the president and first lady’s son, Barron, had tested negative for the virus.
Despite Mark Meadows’ confirmation that the White House learned of Hope Hicks’ positive test result yesterday afternoon, there is still some confusion around the exact timeline of notification.Despite Mark Meadows’ confirmation that the White House learned of Hope Hicks’ positive test result yesterday afternoon, there is still some confusion around the exact timeline of notification.
A New York Times reporter noted White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany was abruptly pulled from the president’s trip to New Jersey, which was before Marine One took off for Joint Base Andrews.A New York Times reporter noted White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany was abruptly pulled from the president’s trip to New Jersey, which was before Marine One took off for Joint Base Andrews.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said senior officials learned of Hope Hicks’ positive test result yesterday afternoon.White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said senior officials learned of Hope Hicks’ positive test result yesterday afternoon.
However, several other senior White House staffers did not learn of the news until last night, according to CNN. Some even learned from media reports.However, several other senior White House staffers did not learn of the news until last night, according to CNN. Some even learned from media reports.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows would not provide details on what treatment the president is receiving after testing positive for coronavirus.White House chief of staff Mark Meadows would not provide details on what treatment the president is receiving after testing positive for coronavirus.
“He’s in the residence now, and in true fashion, he’s probably critiquing the way that I’m answering these questions,” Meadows told reporters at the White House.“He’s in the residence now, and in true fashion, he’s probably critiquing the way that I’m answering these questions,” Meadows told reporters at the White House.
Meadows said he and another senior White House adviser, Dan Scavino, had tested negative for the virus.Meadows said he and another senior White House adviser, Dan Scavino, had tested negative for the virus.
“At the same time, I fully expect that as this virus continues to go on, other people in the White House will certainly have a positive test result,” Meadows said.“At the same time, I fully expect that as this virus continues to go on, other people in the White House will certainly have a positive test result,” Meadows said.
Meadows also confirmed the White House learned of Hope Hicks’ positive test result yesterday, as Marine One was taking off to start the president’s trip to New Jersey.Meadows also confirmed the White House learned of Hope Hicks’ positive test result yesterday, as Marine One was taking off to start the president’s trip to New Jersey.
Despite that, Trump continued on to New Jersey and held a fundraising event with donors.Despite that, Trump continued on to New Jersey and held a fundraising event with donors.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows confirmed that Trump is currently experiencing mild symptoms from coronavirus.White House chief of staff Mark Meadows confirmed that Trump is currently experiencing mild symptoms from coronavirus.
“The president does have mild symptoms,” Meadows told reporters at the White House. “The doctors continue to monitor both his health and the health of the first lady.”“The president does have mild symptoms,” Meadows told reporters at the White House. “The doctors continue to monitor both his health and the health of the first lady.”
Meadows said the president remains “very energetic” and is paying close attention to the economy and coronavirus relief negotiations despite his illness.Meadows said the president remains “very energetic” and is paying close attention to the economy and coronavirus relief negotiations despite his illness.
Meadows spoke to reporters without wearing a mask.Meadows spoke to reporters without wearing a mask.