# 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:** 55
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1087 "2020-10-05T19:43:11Z")
Yep, posted too fast. Harris would make it an issue with Pence. Not a big one, but even a mention of Donnie being hospitalized while the debate was going on would make Trumps inner monkey howl. ---
**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 5, 2020, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1088 "2020-10-05T19:44:25Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > would make Trumps inner monkey howl. - Name one thing that _doesn’t_. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1089 "2020-10-05T19:45:32Z")
Receiving love letters from dictators. The inner monkey just coos at those. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1090 "2020-10-05T20:28:52Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > You can see the valve on the agent’s mask. He’s also apparently wearing a disposable gown? ---
**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 5, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1091 "2020-10-05T20:32:31Z")
Sure is. (Damn 5 character limit) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1092 "2020-10-05T20:38:20Z")
I expect they’ve set up a hospital suite in the white house. he can have 24/7 nursing care, oxygen, IV fluids, all delivered to his home. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1093 "2020-10-05T20:39:20Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Is it at all worth pointing out that the Regeneron drug that Trump is on involved human embryonic stem cells to develop? - I think so. Especially since one of the tweets in his tweet storm was “PRO LIFE! VOTE!”. Perhaps he should be reminded that he’s alive because a child was murdered for him (or whatever pro-life rhetoric you want to use, verbatim) and asked why he would choose to use a medicine that necessitated destroying a human life (remember, life begins at conception). Maybe it would be a good debate question, though I’m not sure how Biden would answer a similar question directed at him. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1094 "2020-10-05T20:45:24Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I expect they’ve set up a hospital suite in the white house. And about a thousand photos of him, all taken within minutes of each other, ready to go to make him appear to be working. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1095 "2020-10-05T20:47:13Z")
> **[New York Times reporter infected with Covid-19 says the White House is not...](https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/05/media/michael-shear-white-house-journalist/index.html)** > > One of the White House reporters who has come down with coronavirus, Michael Shear of The New York Times, is pretty sure he was infected on the day President Trump announced his pick for the Supreme Court. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1096 "2020-10-05T22:21:47Z")
[https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/newspolitics/white-house-grinds-to-a-halt-as-trumps-press-chief-joins-covid-infected-list/ar-BB19J09p](https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/newspolitics/white-house-grinds-to-a-halt-as-trumps-press-chief-joins-covid-infected-list/ar-BB19J09p) I didn’t see any references to her in this forum. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1097 "2020-10-05T22:48:12Z")
> [@Kimera757](#): > > I didn’t see any references to her in this forum. Post 1037 has her tweet announcing that she tested positive. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1098 "2020-10-05T22:51:28Z")
> **[You can preorder a $100 'Trump defeats COVID' commemorative coin at White...](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/10/05/trump-defeats-covid-commemorative-coins-on-sale-gift-shop/3628383001/)** > > The $100 “Trump defeats COVID” coins are for sale on the website of the White House Gift Shop, which is not affiliated with the White House. **# You can preorder a $100 ‘Trump defeats COVID’ commemorative coin at White House Gift Shop** words fail me. NPR & NBC said he was leaving the hospital today, supposedly to the White house inpatient room. > **[Some medical experts question Trump's exit from Walter Reed hospital](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/trump-leave-hospital-move-some-medical-experts-call-risky-n1242175)** > > "There is some element of disconnect between how you look and feel and what's going on inside you with this disease," one expert said. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1099 "2020-10-05T23:08:18Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > **# You can preorder a $100 ‘Trump defeats COVID’ commemorative coin at White House Gift Shop** Possibly the most premature announcement since _Dewey Defeats Truman._ ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1100 "2020-10-05T23:21:51Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > You can preorder a $100 ‘Trump defeats COVID’ commemorative coin at White House Gift Shop I assume the other side of the coin says “COVID defeats Trump.” ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1101 "2020-10-05T23:29:20Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > This has been one of the aspects that has pissed me off mightily. Close contacts = 14 d quarantine from last exposure and a negative test does NOT change that. Being a public figure is not a license to put others at needless risk or to model reckless behaviors. > [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > Senators Thom Tillis and Mike Lee both announced Friday they had tested positive for COVID-19. They said they’ll quarantine for 10 days, instead of the recommended 14 days. Neither gave a reason why they had chosen 10 days. Let me just say that in this case the Senators are correct. If you come in close contact with someone who has Covid 19 then you are to quarantine for 14 days from the contact as it can take that long to show symptoms or become positive. However, if you develop symptoms or have a positive test, you only need to quarantine for 10 days from this point (I assume because you are already past the asymptomatic, negative testing window). CDC recommendations: **## I think or know I had COVID-19, and I had symptoms** You can be around others after: - 10 days since symptoms first appeared **and** - 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications **and** - Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving\* \*_Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation​_ Most people do not require testing to decide when they can be around others; however, if your healthcare provider recommends testing, they will let you know when you can resume being around others based on your test results. Note that these recommendations **do not** apply to persons with severe COVID-19 or with severely weakened immune systems (immunocompromised). These persons should follow the guidance below for “I was severely ill with COVID-19 or have a severely weakened immune system (immunocompromised) due to a health condition or medication. When can I be around others?” **## I tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms** If you continue to have no symptoms, you can be with others after 10 days have passed since you had a positive viral test for COVID-19. Most people do not require testing to decide when they can be around others; however, if your healthcare provider recommends testing, they will let you know when you can resume being around others based on your test results. If you develop symptoms after testing positive, follow the guidance above for “I think or know I had COVID-19, and I had symptoms. That said, I am most worried about all of the administration officials who are not following the 14 day guidelines for those who test negative. They are the ones who will spread it in the window before they have symptoms or test positive _cough_Pence_cough_. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1102 "2020-10-05T23:34:06Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > In other words, steroids are a hell of a drug. Must be. Just saw him with his mask off on CNN, and he looked extra healthy. He also tweeted that he feels better than 20 years ago. He’s been diagnosed as psychopathic already, so can we be sure that he’s even sane? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1103 "2020-10-05T23:35:26Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > They should have taken a leaf from [Mitt Romney’s book](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/enhanced/web03/2012/1/14/12/enhanced-buzz-31827-1326562677-4.jpg?output-quality=auto&output-format=auto&downsize=640:*) and put Donald in a crate strapped to the top of the car. I love your stuff, Gail Collins. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1104 "2020-10-05T23:39:08Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Must be. Just saw him with his mask off on CNN, and he looked extra healthy. He also tweeted that he feels better than 20 years ago. He’s been diagnosed as psychopathic already, so can we be sure that he’s even sane? > **[Bigger Than Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigger_Than_Life)** > > Bigger Than Life is a 1956 American drama film directed by Nicholas Ray and starring James Mason, Barbara Rush, and Walter Matthau. Its plot follows an ailing school teacher and family man whose life spins out of control when he misuses cortisone. It is based on a 1955 article by medical writer Berton Roueché in The New Yorker, titled "Ten Feet Tall". In addition to starring in the film, Mason produced it. > Though it was a box-office flop upon its initial release, many modern critics hail it as... ---
**Author:** ![Jungian\_Camisole1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jungian_camisole1/32/3646_2.png) [@Jungian\_Camisole1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jungian_Camisole1)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1105 "2020-10-05T23:40:56Z")
Is anyone taking bets on whether or not he’ll be back in the hospital by the weekend? I’m going with “yes”. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010/1106 "2020-10-05T23:54:01Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > However, if you develop symptoms or have a positive test, you only need to quarantine for 10 days from this point (I assume because you are already past the asymptomatic, negative testing window). …you missed the **and**. Its ten days after symptoms first appeared **and** 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications **and** other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving. They can’t know in advance if they are going to have 24 hours with no fever and they can’t know in advance if the other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving. These look like guidelines to be used when medical facilities and resources are stretched. Kind of like when masks were initially not recommended because they didn’t have enough masks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010.md?page=54) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19/922010.md?page=56)