# Trump and Melania test positive for COVID-19 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 2, 2020, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010 "2020-10-02T05:07:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 39
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/765 "2020-10-04T14:09:30Z")
What the hell is the point of altering the photo but not removing the fact that he’s obviously signing his name in the middle of a blank piece of paper? ---
**Author:** ![Monocracy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monocracy/32/4493_2.png) [@Monocracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monocracy)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/766 "2020-10-04T14:10:28Z")
5 to 8 days is the mean time from onset of symptoms to dyspnea (trouble breathing). Trump was given oxygen Friday. There is an average of 7 days from onset of symptoms to hospitalization. Trump was taken to the hospital Friday evening. There is no doubt in my mind that Trump knew he had COVID long before he announced it Friday morning. He knew it at the fundraisers he held on Wednesday and Thursday. He knew it at the debates Tuesday. He possibly knew at the Rose Garden ceremony the Saturday proir when he announced the nomination of the SC Justice. I wonder if he was on symptom suppressing medication the night of the debates. An alcohol based cough suppressant would probably give a slight buzz to a teetotaler, making them more aggressive and talkative. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/767 "2020-10-04T14:11:30Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > What the hell is the point of altering the photo but not removing the fact that he’s obviously signing his name in the middle of a blank piece of paper? The usual incompetence. They keep forgetting that people can zoom in. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/768 "2020-10-04T14:15:31Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > What the hell is the point of altering the photo You realize that “Susan” is mistaken and it’s not altered, right? The image of his hand that you’re seeing bounces from a point on the table roughly midway between his hand and the camera. The fact that there’s paper directly underneath his hand does not affect the reflection of his hand that you see in a position apparently underneath the paper. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/769 "2020-10-04T14:16:34Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > You realize that “Susan” is mistaken and it’s not altered, right? The image of his hand that you’re seeing bounces from a point on the table roughly midway between his hand and the camera. The fact that there’s paper directly underneath his hand does not affect the reflection of his hand that you see in a position apparently underneath the paper. No, I don’t realize that. I admittedly have issues with spatial reasoning, but I don’t understand how the paper is not obscuring the reflection of the marker. eta: This is genuine ignorance on my part, and since there’s literally no value that I can perceive in manipulating a photo with this garbage as the end result it makes sense that it’s not a fake. But I still don’t get the physics involved. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/770 "2020-10-04T14:17:45Z")
Sorry, still not convinced this isn’t pure political theatre. You heard any mention of debate performance or white supremacy lately? He’s getting best wishes from leaders all over the world and even Joe has stopped his attack ads. Maybe it’s because he’s so thoroughly discredited everyone around him, there are no reliable back channels to get confirmation of any of this. Or, maybe it’s just me, but I’m not convinced yet. More skeptic than conspiracy theorist though. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/771 "2020-10-04T14:20:02Z")
I mean, distracting from really bad stuff with something that also makes him look really bad seems like a long and risky con with no clear benefit. Remember, COVID is the number one election issue, and Trump polls really badly with it. Now, he has the disease that he downplayed. That looks terrible for him. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/772 "2020-10-04T14:24:23Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > But I still don’t get the physics involved. Imagine looking at trees on the far shore of a lake. There is no lake directly under the trees. Some light from the trees goes diagonally down and towards the surface of the middle of the lake, and is reflected diagonally back up toward you from a point on the lake partway between you and where the trees are. That creates an upside down image that appears to be underground on the far shore. The ground under the trees here is analogous to the paper in the Trump image. > **[Fall Trees Reflected in Lake Picture | Free Photograph | Photos Public Domain](https://www.photos-public-domain.com/2011/10/29/fall-trees-reflected-in-lake/)** ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/773 "2020-10-04T14:25:10Z")
Maybe it’s just me, but a picture of Trump sitting up in bed wearing USA sweatshirt, holding up a thumbs-up sign with a can of Coke in the background, would have been more effective than what they sent us. That’s what the average American looks like when they are dealing with a mild illness. Not even the most die-hard Trump supporter believes he’s working right now. Seems like they need to be going for realness right now, not theater. When the people get theater, the people will have cause to be skeptical. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/774 "2020-10-04T14:25:36Z")
Perfect! That’s a great example. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/775 "2020-10-04T14:28:46Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Sorry, still not convinced this isn’t pure political theatre. > > You heard any mention of debate performance or white supremacy lately? > > He’s getting best wishes from leaders all over the world and even Joe has stopped his attack ads. > > Maybe it’s because he’s so thoroughly discredited everyone around him, there are no reliable back channels to get confirmation of any of this. > > Or, maybe it’s just me, but I’m not convinced yet. More skeptic than conspiracy theorist though. I think he really has COVID. And has some level of symptoms that are more than just “mild.” But I also think that he is using this as political theater and is going to milk it for all it’s worth. He’s in every headline in the world. The Dems have pulled negative ads (which was appropriate, 'cause they’re still folks who play by the rules). The really negative stuff is kicked to the second page. From trump’s POV, what’s not to like? He can play at being presidential without even having to lift a thumb. Pardon me while I go throw up. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/776 "2020-10-04T14:30:17Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > “Survive” doesn’t always mean “restored to prior health” with covid. He could survive and wind up debilitated, conscious but no longer physically up to any job at all. What? No more golf? I’m pretty sure he’d consider life to be no longer worth living. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/777 "2020-10-04T14:46:51Z")
i would like to see more on the video of him walking to the chopper on friday. it really looks like there was a tube running to his mask. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/778 "2020-10-04T14:50:41Z")
This place has become a crackpot conspiracy site. He faked his test. He was wearing an oxygen cannula under his mask. OMG he is wearing the same clothes its staged. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/779 "2020-10-04T14:51:26Z")
It only looks bad on him UNTIL he bounces back and boasts his strength and how he was right, it’s overblown! The markets will rebound crazy! It would explain why a lot of people who knew they were exposed to him, didn’t really act like they had been. Going home to families, flying commercial, etc. It explains why he didn’t let on for the first 24hrs and just kept on interacting with people without regard. I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m just saying I remain sceptical is all. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/780 "2020-10-04T14:53:45Z")
I’m encountering Trump supporters on Facebook claiming that “Trump was the most protected man in the world and yet he still got Covid, so any precautions against Covid are useless and hopeless.” I pointed out that Trump was NOT ‘protected,’ he was interacting with thousands more people than the average American would, but got a laugh emoticon in response. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/781 "2020-10-04T14:55:36Z")
Well played, sir. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/782 "2020-10-04T14:56:19Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I’m encountering Trump supporters on Facebook claiming that “Trump was the most protected man in the world and yet he still got Covid, so any precautions against Covid are useless and hopeless.” I pointed out that Trump was NOT ‘protected,’ he was interacting with thousands more people than the average American would, but got a laugh emoticon in response. Don’t you dare call them stupid. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/783 "2020-10-04T14:57:17Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > This place has become a crackpot conspiracy site. He faked his test. He was wearing an oxygen cannula under his mask. OMG he is wearing the same clothes its staged. Explain how, when you consider the culture of lies and deception in this Administration, it’s not possible. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2020, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/784 "2020-10-04T14:58:34Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > This place has become a crackpot conspiracy site. He faked his test. He was wearing an oxygen cannula under his mask. OMG he is wearing the same clothes its staged. Nobody’s saying it’s a conspiracy, people are Just Asking Questions, see. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010.md?page=38) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010.md?page=40)