Just 32 days before the election, news of a positive Covid-19 test result for President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, was released early this morning, and both are showing mild symptoms, the White House said.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)Although it can take several days after someone is infected with the virus for it to reach detectable levels, we can report that Vice President Mike Pence reportedly tested negative today, as has House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 80, who would be third in line of succession. Senator Charles E Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, 87, is the current president pro tempore in the Senate. He would be fourth.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, Mr Trump’s opponent in the upcoming election, and Senator Kamala Harris, his running mate, also tested negative.
This cannot be a partisan moment.
It must be an American moment.
We have to come together as a nation.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 2, 2020
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who would be fifth in line of succession, and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who would be sixth, also disclosed a negative test result for the virus that causes Covid-19.
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said Mr Trump was “in good spirits” and that he was “on the job” from the executive mansion. Regular updates on the president’s condition are expected to be forthcoming.
The illness throws a wrench into the current campaign for president, as Mr Trump has traditionally benefited from his unique ability to mingle with people and arouse large crowds of supporters.
