Coronavirus outbreak in the White House, the seat of government in the United States, appears to have gone out of control.
Several officials including even President Donald Trump and First Lady, Melania Trump, have contracted the virus and are battling for recoveries.
What went wrong?
The outbreak of Coronavirus at the White House has largely been blamed on gross disrespect for adherence to the virus safety protocols.
Reports say there have been lack of social distancing, refusal to wear nose masks by many staff of the White House including even President Trump who was expected to lead by example as far as adhering to the safety protocols is concerned.
Over 210,000 Americans have died from coronavirus since the pandemic outbreak late December 2019. There are over seven million infections in the US alone, with scientists projecting more deaths and infections in the coming months.
In the White House, the total cases recorded so far are believed to be more than those recorded in Taiwan, a country with about 23 million people.
At least four White House Press Aides have contracted the Coronavirus even as President Trump appear to downplay the seriousness of the pandemic.
Notable among the infectious aides are White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, who announced via Twitter about testing positive for the coronavirus.
In a statement posted on her official Twitter handle, she wrote:
“As an essential worker, I have worked diligently to provide needed information to the American People at this time.”
McEnany had given a briefing to reporters at the White House last Thursday, hours before Trump’s advisor Hope Hicks was revealed to have tested positive for Covid-19.
“After testing negative consistently, including every day since Thursday, I tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday morning while experiencing no symptoms,” says McEnany.
“No reporters, producers, or members of the press are listed as close contacts by the White House Medical Unit.”
— Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) October 5, 2020
A Senior Advisor to President Trump, Stephen Miller, has also tested positive for Coronavirus.
Most of the staff infections, DGN Online understands, have been recorded at the West Wing of the White House. The White House has been branded a “ghost town.”
Also, wife of Mr Miller, Katie Miller, who is serving as communications director to Vice President Mike Pence, had previously tested positive for the virus.
Several journalists and secret service agents working from the White House have also reportedly tested positive for Coronavirus.
Again, a number of top US military chiefs are said to be quarantining following a positive test of a Senior coast guard official. Among those army officers who have tested positive for Coronavirus so far are, the Chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley, and Vice- Chairman, General John Hyten.
What Democrats are saying?
President Trump has come under attacks from Democrats for allegedly risking the lives of Americans.
Democratic House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, has stated that the White House is “in complete disarray,” after Mr Trump halted talks between Democrats and Republicans on a new Coronavirus economic stimulus package.
She accused Mr Trump of “putting himself first at the expense of the country.”
Vice Presidential Debate
The virus situation at the White House has cast shadows on the Vice Presidential Debate scheduled to take place today, October 7, 2020.
Already, the team of US Vice President, Mike Pence, has rejected a proposal that a plexiglass be placed around him at the planned vice presidential debate.
The debate is scheduled to take at Salt Lake City.
Even though Mr Pence has not tested positive for the Coronavirus, his exposure to persons who have tested positive for the virus has raised health concerns for running mate to Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and persons who are expected to attend the debate tomorrow.
The US Presidential Debate Commission has been forced to introduce some adjustments to the arrangements for the debate in order to ensure the safety of the candidates, their running mates and people who attend the debates.
Among the adjustments, is the increment of the distance between the candidates debating from seven feet to 12 feet.
But the rejection of the move to place plexiglass around VP Pence is leaving some Americans to wonder whether there will be any debate on Wednesday.
There are already doubts as to whether President Trump who has contracted the virus will debate Mr Biden for the second and third time before the November 3, 2020 elections.
By Melvin Tarlue