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Donald and Melania Trump showing 'mild' Covid symptoms as US election upended – live Donald and Melania Trump showing 'mild' Covid symptoms as US election upended – live
(32 minutes later)
Trump events in the process of being moved to virtual or postponed, campaign manager says, while Pence will continue with his schedule White House doctor says president is ‘fatigued but in good spirits’ while reports say Trump’s symptoms include low-grade fever’
That’s it from me on this historic Friday. My west coast colleague, Lois Beckett, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
The White House physician said Trump “remains fatigued but in good spirits” after testing positive for coronavirus. In a statement released by the White House, Dr Sean Conley said Trump was being treated with an experimental coronavirus antibody cocktail, as well as zinc, vitamin D and melatonin. The first lady, who also tested positive, “remains well with only a mild cough and headache”, Conley added.
Joe Biden said Trump’s positive test result was a “bracing reminder” of the seriousness of coronavirus. Speaking in Grand Rapids, Michigan, moments ago, Biden said, “This is not a matter of politics. It’s a bracing reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously. It’s not going away automatically.” Before traveling, the Democratic nominee and his wife, Jill, tested negative for the virus.
The Trump campaign has postponed events involving the president and his family. All of Trump’s planned events will be postponed or moved to a virtual setting. Vice-president Mike Pence, who has tested negative for coronavirus, intends to move forward with his planned campaign travel.
Supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett reportedly had coronavirus this summer and has recovered. Senate Republicans have said they still plan to hold Barrett’s confirmation hearings starting October 12, despite the health crisis in the White House.
The US unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in September. The latest report from the labor department, which was overshadowed by news of Trump contracting coronavirus, showed the US economy added just 661,000 jobs last month.
Lois will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Joe Biden closed his speech in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by once again sending his best wishes to Trump and his family.
“May God protect the First Family, and every family that is dealing with this virus,” Biden said. “And may God protect our troops.”
With that, the Democratic nominee left the podium without taking questions from reporters. Biden kept his surgical mask on for the entirety of his speech.
Biden emphasized the importance of wearing masks while delivering a speech in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The Democratic nominee noted data indicates 100,000 lives could be saved in the coming months if Americans consistently wear masks.
“Be patriotic. It’s not about being a tough guy; it’s about doing your part. Wearing a mask is not only going to protect you, but it also protects those around you,” Biden said.
“Don’t just do it for yourself. Do it for the people you love, the people you work with.”
Interestingly, the Democratic nominee has kept his own surgical mask on since he started speaking. At other recent events, Biden has taken his mask off once he started speaking and put it back on after he concluded.
Joe Biden is now delivering a campaign speech in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after he tested negative for coronavirus.Joe Biden is now delivering a campaign speech in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after he tested negative for coronavirus.
The Democratic nominee apologized for his late arrival, saying he wanted to ensure they were “doing everything by the numbers” after the president announced he had contracted coronavirus.The Democratic nominee apologized for his late arrival, saying he wanted to ensure they were “doing everything by the numbers” after the president announced he had contracted coronavirus.
Biden said he received two coronavirus tests this morning, both of which were negative.Biden said he received two coronavirus tests this morning, both of which were negative.
“We wanted to make sure everything was clear before I came,” Biden said.“We wanted to make sure everything was clear before I came,” Biden said.
Biden also noted he canceled an event scheduled at one of his Michigan campaign offices, on the advice of health experts.Biden also noted he canceled an event scheduled at one of his Michigan campaign offices, on the advice of health experts.
The nominee offered his prayers to the president and the first lady for a rapid recovery from coronavirus.The nominee offered his prayers to the president and the first lady for a rapid recovery from coronavirus.
“My wife, Jill, and I pray that they’ll make a quick and full recovery,” Biden said.“My wife, Jill, and I pray that they’ll make a quick and full recovery,” Biden said.
He went on to say, “This is not a matter of politics. It’s a bracing reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously. It’s not going away automatically.”He went on to say, “This is not a matter of politics. It’s a bracing reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously. It’s not going away automatically.”
Biden encouraged all Americans to take every possible precaution to avoid spreading the virus, including wearing masks, frequently washing their hands and practicing social distancing.Biden encouraged all Americans to take every possible precaution to avoid spreading the virus, including wearing masks, frequently washing their hands and practicing social distancing.
The biotechnology company Regeneron released a report earlier this week on its experimental coronavirus antibody cocktail, which the president is now taking to treat his symptoms.The biotechnology company Regeneron released a report earlier this week on its experimental coronavirus antibody cocktail, which the president is now taking to treat his symptoms.
CNN reports:CNN reports:
It’s important to note the results only involved 275 patients, and the Regeneron data has not yet been peer-reviewed.It’s important to note the results only involved 275 patients, and the Regeneron data has not yet been peer-reviewed.
The White House has released a statement from Trump’s physician saying the president is “fatigued but in good spirits” after testing positive for coronavirus.The White House has released a statement from Trump’s physician saying the president is “fatigued but in good spirits” after testing positive for coronavirus.
Dr Sean Conley said the president received a single eight-gram dose of the Regeneron polyclonal antibody cocktail, zinc and vitamin D as part of his treatment.Dr Sean Conley said the president received a single eight-gram dose of the Regeneron polyclonal antibody cocktail, zinc and vitamin D as part of his treatment.
The first lady “remains well with only a mild cough and headache”, Conley added. The rest of the first family has tested negative for coronavirus.The first lady “remains well with only a mild cough and headache”, Conley added. The rest of the first family has tested negative for coronavirus.
Trump’s coronavirus symptoms include a low-grade fever, according to multiple reports.Trump’s coronavirus symptoms include a low-grade fever, according to multiple reports.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
House speaker Nancy Pelosi has tested negative for coronavirus, her spokesperson just announced. The House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, has tested negative for coronavirus, her spokesperson just announced.
“Out of an abundance of caution, Speaker Pelosi was tested for COVID-19 this morning by the Capitol’s Office of the Attending Physician,” said spokesperson Drew Hammill. “Dr. Monahan just informed the Speaker that she tested negative.” “Out of an abundance of caution, Speaker Pelosi was tested for Covid-19 this morning by the Capitol’s Office of the Attending Physician,” said spokesperson Drew Hammill. “Dr Monahan just informed the speaker that she tested negative.”
The Democratic speaker said this morning that she had taken a test because she had an in-person meeting with treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin this week. The Democratic speaker said this morning that she had taken a test because she had an in-person meeting with the treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, this week.
Mnuchin said earlier today that he had tested negative as well.Mnuchin said earlier today that he had tested negative as well.
Joe Biden has arrived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the Democratic nominee will soon deliver a speech on the economy.Joe Biden has arrived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the Democratic nominee will soon deliver a speech on the economy.
Biden will likely open his remarks by addressing the news that the president and the first lady tested positive for coronavirus.Biden will likely open his remarks by addressing the news that the president and the first lady tested positive for coronavirus.
The Biden campaign released a statement from the nominee’s doctor this morning saying Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, had tested negative for the virus.The Biden campaign released a statement from the nominee’s doctor this morning saying Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, had tested negative for the virus.
It’s worth noting the president’s Twitter feed has been oddly silent since he announced he and the first lady had tested positive for coronavirus.It’s worth noting the president’s Twitter feed has been oddly silent since he announced he and the first lady had tested positive for coronavirus.
Trump frequently tweets dozens of times a day to amplify his campaign messaging and criticize his opponents, particularly Joe Biden.Trump frequently tweets dozens of times a day to amplify his campaign messaging and criticize his opponents, particularly Joe Biden.
But the president has sent no such messages today. The president also reportedly did not participate in the one event on his schedule today, a phone call with New York governor Andrew Cuomo. But the president has sent no such messages today. The president also reportedly did not participate in the one event on his schedule today, a phone call with New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo.
Trump was originally scheduled to hold a fundraising roundtable in Washington and travel to Florida for a campaign rally today, but both of those events were canceled after the president announced he had tested positive for coronavirus.Trump was originally scheduled to hold a fundraising roundtable in Washington and travel to Florida for a campaign rally today, but both of those events were canceled after the president announced he had tested positive for coronavirus.
A spokesperson for Rudy Giuliani said he has tested negative for coronavirus, per NBC News.A spokesperson for Rudy Giuliani said he has tested negative for coronavirus, per NBC News.
Giuliani, who serves as Trump’s personal attorney, attended Tuesday’s debate as a guest of the president.Giuliani, who serves as Trump’s personal attorney, attended Tuesday’s debate as a guest of the president.
Larry Kudlow, a senior economic adviser at the White House, said Trump appears to have a “very moderate case” of coronavirus.Larry Kudlow, a senior economic adviser at the White House, said Trump appears to have a “very moderate case” of coronavirus.
“The president was kind of barking out orders for all of us, giving us tasks this morning to follow through. He’s on the phone,“ Kudlow told Fox News.“The president was kind of barking out orders for all of us, giving us tasks this morning to follow through. He’s on the phone,“ Kudlow told Fox News.
“I have not talked to him today, but apparently he’s doing just fine,” Kudlow added.“I have not talked to him today, but apparently he’s doing just fine,” Kudlow added.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said this morning that Trump is experiencing “mild symptoms” of coronavirus, and the first lady said her symptoms are also mild.White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said this morning that Trump is experiencing “mild symptoms” of coronavirus, and the first lady said her symptoms are also mild.
The University of Utah is moving forward with plans to host the vice presidential debate on Wednesday, per Buzzfeed News.The University of Utah is moving forward with plans to host the vice presidential debate on Wednesday, per Buzzfeed News.
A university spokesperson said everyone at the debate, with the exception of the vice presidential nominees and the moderator, will be required “to wear masks at all times.”A university spokesperson said everyone at the debate, with the exception of the vice presidential nominees and the moderator, will be required “to wear masks at all times.”
Of course, that was also the rule in Cleveland for Tuesday’s presidential debate, but several members of the Trump family were still not wearing masks and even declined to take masks offered by a Cleveland Clinic employee.Of course, that was also the rule in Cleveland for Tuesday’s presidential debate, but several members of the Trump family were still not wearing masks and even declined to take masks offered by a Cleveland Clinic employee.
Coronavirus relief package negotiations continue between Democratic congressional leadership and the White House, despite the bombshell news that Trump tested positive for coronavirus.Coronavirus relief package negotiations continue between Democratic congressional leadership and the White House, despite the bombshell news that Trump tested positive for coronavirus.
A spokesperson for House speaker Nancy Pelosi said she spoke by phone to treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin for about an hour today.A spokesperson for House speaker Nancy Pelosi said she spoke by phone to treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin for about an hour today.
Pelosi and Mnuchin remain far apart on a number of provisions in the bill, including the amount of funding for unemployment insurance and state and local governments.Pelosi and Mnuchin remain far apart on a number of provisions in the bill, including the amount of funding for unemployment insurance and state and local governments.
The House passed the Democratic coronavirus relief package last night, but the bill appears to have no future in the Republican-controlled Senate.The House passed the Democratic coronavirus relief package last night, but the bill appears to have no future in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Dr Scott Atlas gave an interview to Fox News earlier today, in which the White House adviser predicted the president and the first lady would make “a complete, full and rapid recovery” and said there is “zero reason to panic.”Dr Scott Atlas gave an interview to Fox News earlier today, in which the White House adviser predicted the president and the first lady would make “a complete, full and rapid recovery” and said there is “zero reason to panic.”
But Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, who moderated Tuesday’s presidential debate, took issue with trusting Atlas as a source of information.But Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, who moderated Tuesday’s presidential debate, took issue with trusting Atlas as a source of information.
“I’m going to say something, and folks, I’m just trying to give you the truth,” Wallace said. “Dr Scott Atlas is not an epidemiologist, is not an infectious disease specialist. He has no training in this area at all.”“I’m going to say something, and folks, I’m just trying to give you the truth,” Wallace said. “Dr Scott Atlas is not an epidemiologist, is not an infectious disease specialist. He has no training in this area at all.”
Wallace referenced reports indicating other members of the White House coronavirus task force have raised concerns about Atlas’ credibility.Wallace referenced reports indicating other members of the White House coronavirus task force have raised concerns about Atlas’ credibility.
“I very much hope everything he says is true,” Wallace added. “One, he can’t know because the president is just in the earliest stages of this. And two, you know, I understand the desire of the White House and its political people to try to talk this down.”“I very much hope everything he says is true,” Wallace added. “One, he can’t know because the president is just in the earliest stages of this. And two, you know, I understand the desire of the White House and its political people to try to talk this down.”
Wallace then urged viewers to follow the advice of health experts like Drs Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx. “Listen to the independent people who do not have a political ax to grind, and I frankly don’t think Scott Atlas is one of those people,” Wallace said.Wallace then urged viewers to follow the advice of health experts like Drs Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx. “Listen to the independent people who do not have a political ax to grind, and I frankly don’t think Scott Atlas is one of those people,” Wallace said.