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Coronavirus Updates: Trump, On Steroids, Starts Day Four In Hospital With All-Caps Tweetstorm
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 5, 2020
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By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 5, 2020
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This is our daily update of breaking COVID-19 news for Monday, October 5th, 2020. Previous daily updates can be found here, and up-to-date statistics are here.
New York City is in Phase 4 of reopening now, which includes zoos, botanical gardens, museums, and gyms. A look at preparing for the spread of coronavirus is here, and if you have lingering questions about the virus, here is our regularly updated coronavirus FAQ. Here are some local and state hotlines for more information: NYC: 311; NY State Hotline: 888-364-3065; NJ State Hotline: 800-222-1222.
President Donald Trump kicked off his fourth day of coronavirus recovery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, with a barrage of all-caps tweets making the case for his reelection.
Since being hospitalized on Friday evening, reports on the president's health have been limited and inconsistent, stoking more questions and speculation about his health. His doctor on Sunday acknowledged that Trump, 74, had a high fever on Friday and been given supplemental oxygen, but did not directly answer questions about whether oxygen had been administered again over the weekend.
The president has also been given an experimental antibody drug made by Regeneron, the steroid dexamethasone along with remdesivir, an antiviral drug. The initial report of dropping oxygen levels along with the cocktail of medications have led some health experts to speculate that he may be suffering from severe symptoms. Although some said it is also possible that he is ordering a more aggressive form of treatment for himself.
Meanwhile, doctors, aides and Trump himself have projected a far more sanguine prognosis.
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows released a statement to Fox News Monday morning, saying that he had spoken with Trump and that the president is ready to return to a normal work schedule.
“We are still optimistic that he will be able to return to the White House later today, with his medical professionals making that determination later today," he said.
In a move that both bewildered and angered public health experts, Trump on Sunday afternoon left the hospital to get into an S.U.V. accompanied by Secret Service agents for a short drive. White House spokesman Judd Deere described the jaunt as a “short, last-minute motorcade ride to wave to his supporters.”
The president is still infectious, meaning that those in the enclosed car with him could have contracted the virus.
Along with a rambling video released on Sunday, the second one he has made from Walter Reed medical center, some have argued that Trump's strange actions and behavior may be due to his steroid treatment.
Various medical experts have pointed out that steroids can cause mania or psychosis.
“The thing about steroids is they can have psychiatric side effects at almost any dose,” said Dr. J. Michael Bostwick, a psychiatrist with the Mayo Clinic, told the New York Times.
Tagged
covid-19 updates
coronavirus
Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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