In the wake of President Trump's diagnosis with COVID-19 and brief hospitalization, medical experts and elected officials are analyzing his treatment and behavior.
Ohio Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus) says she's not surprised that President Trump, upon arriving back to the White House after his hospital stay for COVID-19, removed his mask and downplayed the serious nature of the virus. Statehouse correspondent Jo Ingles reports.
Beatty says Trump has put himself and others at risk by not taking COVID-19 seriously. And she says his rhetoric is dangerous.
“He’s a president that puts us at risk. He’s a president that’s not a commander in chief. He’s a person I have no confidence in.”
Beatty made her comments outside the Franklin County Early Vote Center where thousands lined up on the first day of early, in person, voting. She says the robust interest in this election will work to the advantage of Democrats.
Speaking at Tuesday's coronavirus press conference Governor Mike DeWine, who generally avoids directly contradicting his fellow Republican, instead pivoted on Trump's advice to "not be afraid of COVID" by saying people *do* need to respect the threat of the coronavirus.
"Part of that also means taking the necessary precautionary measures we all need to take to hyelp keep our economy open, and to keep our kids in school, to be able to visit our loved ones in nursing homes, and to be able to do all the things that we want to do. That of course means wearing masks, keeping our distance, washing our hands, avoiding large gatherings. it means taking this virus seriously. This does not mean we have to be afraid. It does, however, mean that we have to be realistic and practical about it."
According to the state Department of Health, 1,335 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the past 24-hours, above the recent 3-week average. 132 people were hospitalized, nearly double the average, and 36 were admitted to intensive care units.
Since the beginning of the pandemic in mid March, there have been over 161-thousand cases of COVID-19, and 4,947 deaths.
