Over 200 people attended the event on September 26, the majority not wearing face masks
Credit: Bloomberg
US Election Article Bar
At least seven people who attended a White House event to announce President Trump’s Supreme Court pick have since tested positive for Covid-19, raising speculation the Rose Garden ceremony could have been a ‘super spreader’ event.
President Trump, currently in hospital being treated for Covid-19, hosted the event to present Amy Coney Barrett as his Supreme Court nominee, alongside his wife Melania Trump, who has also since tested positive.
Over 200 people attended the event on September 26, the majority not wearing face masks. Guests were seen fist bumping and greeting each other closely as they walked to their seats, which did not appear to be set up to allow social distancing.
Melania, Sen. Mike Lee and the Rev. John Jenkins, all of who have tested positive for Covid-19, were in close proximity to senators and White House officials at last Saturday's ACB announcement. https://t.co/FuaOoez2e2 pic.twitter.com/IAoWDXNMtI
— Taylor Miller Thomas, but spooky 👻 (@tmthomasdc) October 2, 2020
On Friday, the president’s former counsellor Kellyanne Conway revealed she had tested positive and had “mild” symptoms, while two Republican senators, Thom Tillis and Mike Lee, also announced they had the virus.
"Tonight I tested positive for Covid-19. My symptoms are mild (light cough) and I’m feeling fine," Mrs Conway tweeted. "I have begun a quarantine process in consultation with physicians."
Senator Lee, who did not wear a face mask, said he had “symptoms consistent with longtime allergies”, while Senator Tillis said he was asymptomatic.
John Jenkins, the President of the University of Notre Dame, has also tested positive.
Who else has been tested so far?
"The positive test is a good reminder for me and perhaps for all of how vigilant we need to be,” Mr Jenkins said in a statement.
According to the White House Correspondent’s Association, a journalist in attendance received a positive test result on Friday. This brings the total number of attendees with the virus to seven.
Attorney General William Barr was also at the Rose Garden and did not wear a mask. He was seen speaking to Mrs Conway, but according to a Justice Department spokesman Mr Barr tested negative on Friday.
Experts have warned rapid testing can be flawed and is often foiled by the virus’ lengthy incubation period.
Attorney General William Barr has tested negative, despite being in close proximity to Kellyanne Conway
Credit: Getty Images North America
President Trump introduces Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court during a ceremony in the Rose Garden
Credit: Shutterstock
Senator Mike Lee, pictured hugging other attendees, has since tested positive
Credit: Matthew Fearn
On average, it takes five days from the moment a person is infected to start showing symptoms. The White House says it is now contact tracing all of those in attendance.
The event was Mr Trump’s formal announcement of his intention to replace supreme court judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died on September 18, with Mrs Barrett. Many Democrats have argued the seat should not be filled until after the November 3 election.
On Friday, just six days after the garden was packed with hundreds of people, the president walked again across the White House’s lawn.
This time everyone, including Mr Trump, wore face masks as he moved slowly towards the waiting helicopter, bound for a multi-day hospital stay.
In a video recorded before leaving for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Mr Trump said, "I think I’m doing very well, but we’re going to make sure that things work out."
Свежие комментарии