Experts raise questions about severity of Trump's COVID-19

By Deena Beasley and Michael Erman

 

U.S. President Donald Trump rides in front of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he is being treated for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. October 4, 2020. REUTERS/Cheriss May

 

(Reuters) - Doctors not involved in treating President Donald Trump for COVID-19 said the fact that he has been started on dexamethasone - a generic steroid widely used in other diseases to reduce inflammation - is evidence his case is severe.

 

Trump's medical team on Sunday said the president was started on the steroid after experiencing low oxygen levels, but his condition was improving and he could be discharged from the hospital on Monday.

 

"What I heard in the news conference description suggested the President has more severe illness than the generally upbeat picture painted," said Dr. Daniel McQuillen, an infectious disease specialist at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts.

 

The Infectious Disease Society of America says dexamethasone is beneficial in people with critical or severe COVID-19 who require extra oxygen. But studies show that the drug is not helpful – and may even be harmful – in people with a milder case of the illness.

 

Doctors who have been treating COVID-19 patients for months said Trump, who surprised cheering supporters outside the hospital by riding past in a motorcade Sunday evening, could still be discharged from the hospital. Trump returned to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after the short trip.

 

"He's not going to go to a home where there's no medical care. There's basically a hospital in the White House," said Dr. Walid Gellad, professor of medicine at University of Pittsburgh.

 

Trump, 74, was flown to the hospital on Friday hours after announcing that he had tested positive for coronavirus infection. While at the White House, the president was given an infusion of an experimental antibody treatment from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals that is being studied for early infections. On Saturday, the president was started on a five-day course of intravenous antiviral drug remdesivir, which is sold by Gilead Sciences.

 

If Trump no longer requires supplemental oxygen and is able to return to his normal activities, his doctors could discharge him from the hospital, said Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins University.

 

"The biggest question would be is there a risk of deterioration, or is he on a good trajectory?" he said.

 

COVID-19 is often characterized as having two phases - the viral infection itself and in some cases an overreaction of the body's immune system that can cause organ damage. "People sort of putter along for up to a week ...then everything goes downhill very quickly," said Dr. Stuart Cohen, chief of infectious disease at California's UC Davis Health. "It is always hard to predict who that is going to happen in."

 

Doctors said COVID-19 patients who have had a good response to treatment can leave the hospital relatively quickly, but they will still need to be closely monitored.

 

"Some people with COVID-19 develop worsening symptoms, shortness of breath and other complications about a week after they first develop symptoms," said Dr. Rajesh Gandhi, an infectious disease physician at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

 

Dr. David Battinelli, chief medical officer at New York's Northwell Health said "it's entirely plausible" that Trump could get discharged on Monday, but cautioned that a full recovery would take time.

 

"It would be very unlikely for him to be out and about, and on the campaign trail in less than 14 days," he said.

 

(Reporting By Deena Beasley; editing by Diane Craft)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-10-05

 

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The experts should go a bit further and question the severity of Covid 19.

 

Deterioration is a different matter and most likely started during his childhood.

The reality TV show continues!

3 hours ago, Paiman said:

The experts should go a bit further and question the severity of Covid 19.

 

Deterioration is a different matter and most likely started during his childhood.

 

Lung damage... heart damage... brain fog (oh sorry, I think that has been there with him already.)

 

 

 

His "drive-by" seems to have been particularly ill-advised, according to doctors.

 

Quote

Dr James Phillips, chief of disaster medicine at George Washington University and an attending physician at Walter Reed Medical Center, described the drive-by as "insanity".

 

He wrote on Twitter: "That presidential SUV is not only bulletproof, but hermetically sealed against chemical attack. The risk of COVID-19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures. The irresponsibility is astounding. My thoughts are with the Secret Service forced to play [along].

 

"Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary presidential 'drive-by' just now has to be quarantined for 14 days. They might get sick. They may die. For political theater. Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater. This is insanity."

 

Jonathan Reiner, professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University school of medicine and health services, tweeted: "By taking a joy ride outside Walter Reed the president is placing his Secret Service detail at grave risk."

 

 

The fact that Trump’s team decided to use an unproven drug suggests something about the perceived seriousness of his disease as early as Friday morning.

The use of dexamethasone is also striking. It likely means that his illness is serious and could be worsening. Dexamethasone can lessen the chances of death for covid-19 patients who are on ventilators or who require supplemental oxygen—but it can be harmful in those without a need for respiratory support. Administering it to someone who isn’t firmly in the second phase of the illness, therefore, involves a careful balancing of risks and trade-offs. It’s a medicine for those with severe disease.

 

full text: https://www.newyorker.com/science/medical-dispatch/how-to-understand-trumps-evolving-condition

40 minutes ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

His "drive-by" seems to have been particularly ill-advised, according to doctors.

 

 

 

Here's another source lol

"White House spokesman Judd Deere defended the outing, telling reporters that “appropriate precautions were taken in the execution of this movement to protect the president and all those supporting it.” Deere said precautions included personal protective equipment, without providing further details, and added that the trip “was cleared by the medical team as safe to do.”

https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2020/10/04/secret-service-agents-doctors-aghast-at-trumps-drive-outside-hospital/

14 minutes ago, riclag said:

Here's another source lol

"White House spokesman Judd Deere defended the outing, telling reporters that “appropriate precautions were taken in the execution of this movement to protect the president and all those supporting it.” Deere said precautions included personal protective equipment, without providing further details, and added that the trip “was cleared by the medical team as safe to do.”

https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2020/10/04/secret-service-agents-doctors-aghast-at-trumps-drive-outside-hospital/

same as they did when doing the photo op showing him holding a bible in front of the church.... regardless of all potential future implications, All for the show

14 minutes ago, riclag said:

Here's another source lol

"White House spokesman Judd Deere

 

15 minutes ago, riclag said:

Here's another source lol

"White House spokesman Judd Deere defended the outing, telling reporters that “appropriate precautions were taken in the execution of this movement to protect the president and all those supporting it.” Deere said precautions included personal protective equipment, without providing further details, and added that the trip “was cleared by the medical team as safe to do.”

from the White House aka latest de facto covid petri-dish. Judd Deere better get himself and his  family quarantined as soon as yesterday. White House shut down for a thorough delousing.

as long as he can show off.... future potential implications to anybody you may have been in contact with don't matter.... egocentric

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/doctor-trump-improving-not-woods-044208271.html

 

This is insanity,” Dr. James P. Phillips, an attending physician at Walter Reed who is a critic of Trump and his handling of the pandemic. “Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary presidential ‘drive-by’ just now has to be quarantined for 14 days. They might get sick. They may die.”

 

In a short video released by the White House on Sunday, Trump insisted he understood the gravity of the moment. But his actions moments later, by leaving the hospital and sitting inside the SUV with others, suggested otherwise.

3 minutes ago, watthong said:

 

from the White House aka latest de facto covid petri-dish. Judd Deere better get himself and his  family quarantined as soon as yesterday. White House shut down for a thorough delousing.

list keeps growing while Trump is having fun showing off outing

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/04/world/chris-christie-tests-positive.html

Chris Christie, the former governor of New Jersey who for several days this week helped the president prepare for the debate, said he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Chris Christie checks into hospital after testing positive.

 

 

 

13 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

same as they did when doing the photo op showing him holding a bible in front of the church.... regardless of all potential future implications, All for the show

Your opinion is noted 

Just now, riclag said:

Your opinion is noted 

noted or recorded as there is a difference

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Doctors who have been treating COVID-19 patients for months said Trump, who surprised cheering supporters outside the hospital by riding past in a motorcade Sunday evening, could still be discharged from the hospital. Trump returned to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after the short trip.

Could the man be any more antisocial, selfish, self-centered, reckless....?

 

The man has moved well beyond being just a narcissistic.  He is a sociopath. 

7 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

Chris Christie checks into hospital after testing positive.

 

 

Hug, baby, hug...

 

 

 

19 minutes ago, watthong said:

 

from the White House aka latest de facto covid petri-dish. Judd Deere better get himself and his  family quarantined as soon as yesterday. White House shut down for a thorough delousing.

I don't know anything about that ! I'm concentrating on the topic at hand and the comment # five ,about 

"His "drive-by" seems to have been particularly ill-advised, according to doctors".

which Mr. Deer completely debunked by saying Mr. Trumps DR's gave it the ok

4 minutes ago, watthong said:

 

Hug, baby, hug...

 

 

 

My only thought on this is fairly simple to understand.

 

Stupid is as Stupid does.

5 minutes ago, riclag said:

"His "drive-by" seems to have been particularly ill-advised, according to doctors".

which Mr. Deer completely debunked by saying Mr. Trumps DR's gave it the ok

two clowns do not a smart man make (sorry just trying some old - style English phrasing.)

9 minutes ago, watthong said:

 

Hug, baby, hug...

 

 

 

He's got asthma! He's taking precaution's   Christi is a big boy he had choices how to deal with catching covid! 

Was it a good choice only he can live with that imop

12 minutes ago, watthong said:

two clowns do not a smart man make (sorry just trying some old - style English phrasing.)

your opinion  ! Mr. Trumps Dr's gave him the ok,besides  who are the experts what political persuasions  do they have !

Political bias with experts opinions has become  so forthright in 2020 ! Isn't it so obvious!

Experts ,Msm has them and conservatives news agencies got them 

21 minutes ago, riclag said:

I don't know anything about that ! I'm concentrating on the topic at hand and the comment # five ,about 

"His "drive-by" seems to have been particularly ill-advised, according to doctors".

which Mr. Deer completely debunked by saying Mr. Trumps DR's gave it the ok

Mr. Trump's Doctors are military Doctors, yes?  Is Trump the Commander in Chief of the military?  Or has that changed?  They all pretty much have to do what they're told to do.  Speaking out is not an option, unless you want to lose your job.

8 minutes ago, asiacurious said:

Mr. Trump's Doctors are military Doctors, yes?  Is Trump the Commander in Chief of the military?  Or has that changed?  They all pretty much have to do what they're told to do.  Speaking out is not an option, unless you want to lose your job.

"White House spokesman Judd Deere defended the outing, telling reporters that “appropriate precautions were taken in the execution of this movement to protect the president and all those supporting it.” Deere said precautions included personal protective equipment, without providing further details, and added that the trip “was cleared by the medical team as safe to do.”

https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2020/10/04/secret-service-agents-doctors-aghast-at-trumps-drive-outside-hospital/

 

The key words in the link above is "All those who support it"besides the dr's ok!

1 hour ago, riclag said:

Here's another source lol

"White House spokesman Judd Deere defended the outing, telling reporters that “appropriate precautions were taken in the execution of this movement to protect the president and all those supporting it.” Deere said precautions included personal protective equipment, without providing further details, and added that the trip “was cleared by the medical team as safe to do.”

https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2020/10/04/secret-service-agents-doctors-aghast-at-trumps-drive-outside-hospital/

House of lies. There is no such thing as "appropriate precautions" if you have been identified as a Covid sufferer. All others in the world are quarantined, but you already knew this.

15 minutes ago, riclag said:

"White House spokesman Judd Deere defended the outing, telling reporters that “appropriate precautions were taken in the execution of this movement to protect the president and all those supporting it.” Deere said precautions included personal protective equipment, without providing further details, and added that the trip “was cleared by the medical team as safe to do.”

https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2020/10/04/secret-service-agents-doctors-aghast-at-trumps-drive-outside-hospital/

 

The key words in the link above is "All those who support it"besides the dr's ok!

Trumps employees said its ok. Those not dependent on keeping their job said otherwise.

13 minutes ago, J Town said:

House of lies. There is no such thing as "appropriate precautions" if you have been identified as a Covid sufferer. All others in the world are quarantined, but you already knew this.

"White House spokesman Judd Deere defended the outing, telling reporters that “appropriate precautions were taken in the execution of this movement to protect the president and all those supporting it.” Deere said precautions included personal protective equipment, without providing further details, and added that the trip “was cleared by the medical team as safe to do.”

https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2020/10/04/secret-service-agents-doctors-aghast-at-trumps-drive-outside-hospital/

 

copy and paste this and put it in your things to remenber, I'm getting tired of giving you his dr's advice and all those who supported it

2 minutes ago, riclag said:

"White House spokesman Judd Deere defended the outing, telling reporters that “appropriate precautions were taken in the execution of this movement to protect the president and all those supporting it.” Deere said precautions included personal protective equipment, without providing further details, and added that the trip “was cleared by the medical team as safe to do.”

https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2020/10/04/secret-service-agents-doctors-aghast-at-trumps-drive-outside-hospital/

 

copy and paste this and put it in your things to remenber, I'm getting tired of giving you his dr's advice and all those who supported it

And I get equally as tired of you posting obvious lies. Just today his lead Dr. admitted he gave out misinformation so as to keep the peasants from panicking.

20 minutes ago, J Town said:

House of lies. There is no such thing as "appropriate precautions" if you have been identified as a Covid sufferer. All others in the world are quarantined, but you already knew this.

Appropriate precautions 

Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions

 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/non-us-settings/overview/index.html

3 minutes ago, riclag said:

Appropriate precautions 

Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions

 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/non-us-settings/overview/index.html

According to CDC guidelines, “In general, transport and movement of a patient with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection outside of their room should be limited to medically essential purposes.”

 

Stroking one's ego is hardly medically essential.

 

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/trump-takes-car-ride-ignoring-covid-infection-73424268

3 minutes ago, J Town said:

And I get equally as tired of you posting obvious lies. Just today his lead Dr. admitted he gave out misinformation so as to keep the peasants from panicking.

what does that have to do with "and all those that support it! 

Just too much confusion even among Trump's own staffs regarding his condition. The fact still remained that either he is worse than we thought or they being overly aggressive to prop him up and giving him experimental drugs which could be potentially harmful. Neither way is seen as good for him.