Trump Grapples with COVID Before Election

With the presidential election coming up in a few short weeks, the main topic of discussion is the coronavirus. Over these past few months, we have seen the effect that the virus has on people. Medical professionals have advised us of ways to minimize these problems, such as mask wearing and keeping an appropriate distance from others. These methods have been proven to decrease the spread of COVID-19 all over the United States, but unfortunately, an unprecedented situation has occurred in the White House because of not following these guidelines.

Just after midnight on Friday, October 2, President Trump tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. Many other individuals have tested positive as well, such as First Lady Melania Trump and aide Hope Hicks. It is hard to pinpoint exactly where they caught the coronavirus, given the fact that President Trump’s day consists of surrounding himself with many people. With that being said, it isn’t difficult to suspect that the White House event celebrating Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court played a role in the transmission. Trump was transferred to Walter Reed Medical Center for a few days and given an experimental antibody therapy, which he believes put him on his feet again after such a short timeframe.

Many people have wished Trump and his colleagues a speedy recovery, as they should, but the diagnoses immediately fueled speculation about the second presidential debate, originally slated to be held on October 15. If the debate took place, what would it look like? On Friday, October 9, the debate was officially cancelled, after being settled virtually the day before. Trump’s medical condition and his unwillingness to hold a virtual debate led to the event’s cancellation. Could a virtual debate have been arranged? It was certainly one of the options on the table. More updates about the president’s health (which seems to be improving) and the debate (which has morphed into dueling town halls on different networks) will undoubtedly reach the public. However, the pressure of the election is still building in the few weeks leading up to November 3.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: The second (and final) presidential debate is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, at 8 pm Central Time. It will be held in Nashville, Tennessee.