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Trump coronavirus news: Masked President airlifted from White House lawn to begin Walter Reed hospitalisation

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Joe Sommerlad,Adam Withnall,Justin Vallejo
Friday 02 October 2020 20:25 EDT
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Marine One takes off as Trump is transferred to Walter Reed medical center

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Donald Trump gave a thumbs up and waved to well-wishers as he walked to Marine 1 to begin hospitalisation at Walter Reed Medical Centre on Friday afternoon following cold-like symptoms of a fever and cough.  

A White House spokesperson said it was a precautionary measure, while Trump's doctor said the president was taking a mix of drugs, including Regeneron's polyclonal antibody cocktail as well as aspirin, zinc, vitamin D, famotidine and melatonin.

Trump's campaign staff cancelled all in-person events for the first family, with Mike Pence to step in. Joe Biden, meanwhile, flew to Michigan to continue his campaign after testing negative, saying he sends prayers for Trump's 'health and safety'.

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Trump being moved to hospital as precautionary measure

The White House press pool is reporting that Trump is being moved as reports in The Washington Post said the president is to be taken to Walter Reed Medical Centre on Friday.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said it was a precautionary measure, and he would remain there over the next “few days”.

“President Trump remains in good spirits, has mild symptoms, and has been working throughout the day," she said. 

"Out of an abundance of caution, and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the President will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days. President Trump appreciates the outpouring of support for both he and the First Lady.”

Justin Vallejo2 October 2020 22:18

Governor of New York sends big apples to Trump in care package

Andrew Cuomo is sending the president a care package of apples, bagels, Junior’s cheesecake, and Dinosaur BBQ chicken wings.

"We can have political differences, and people know I have political differences with the President, and we're both New Yorkers so we're not shy about speaking our mind," Cuomo says.  

“This situation creates a lot of anxiety. I've gone through this in my family, and I'm sure his children and family are worried. So on behalf of the family of New York, I wish them a speedy recovery and they're in our thoughts and prayers.”

Justin Vallejo2 October 2020 22:07

Trump ‘actively spreading deadly virus’ and is a risk to public health, says Ilhan Omar

Read the full statement:

Justin Vallejo2 October 2020 22:00

Trump said Biden was a medically fragile liability whose VP might seize control. Now he has Covid-19

For Independent Voices, Holly Baxter writes what a Mike Pence presidency might look like.

What a Mike Pence presidency might look like now Trump has Covid-19

This is what a Mike Pence presidency might look like

Justin Vallejo2 October 2020 21:45

Biden missing his trademark black mask in campaign event

Looks like he picked up a disposable mask for this speech. Wonder what happened to it.

Justin Vallejo2 October 2020 21:42

Biden sends ‘prayers for the health and safety’ of Donald and Melania Trump

“It’s a bracing reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously,” Biden says at a campaign event.

Justin Vallejo2 October 2020 21:38

Trump on mix of drugs and feeling fatigued, according to White House doctor

The president is experiencing coldlike symptoms after testing positive for the coronavirus, according to two people familiar with his condition quoted in The New York Times.

Justin Vallejo2 October 2020 21:24

Biden wheels down in Michigan

Justin Vallejo2 October 2020 20:59

All events involving members of the first family postponed

All previously announced events involving members of the first family have been been postponed, according to Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien.

The campaign was in the process of moving president’s participation in any events to be virtual, while Mike Pence remains on the trail.

Full statement below via White House correspondent Jennifer Jacobs.

Justin Vallejo2 October 2020 19:55

Twitter avoids direct response to users hoping Trump dies from coronavirus  

We reported earlier that a former staffer of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton hoped Donald Trump would die from coronavirus.

We asked Twitter if she specifically, or any other users generally, violated their terms of service on abusive behaviour and, if so, would they be banned.

While they responded generally, they didn’t directly address the instances being targeted at Trump. Here is their full response.

According to a Twitter spokesperson:  

• Using a combination of technology and human review, our teams have taken steps to address coordinated attempts to spread harmful misinformation around COVID-19. This applies today too.  

• We expanded our policies earlier this year to address misleading claims that go directly against the guidance of health officials, and are staying vigilant in our approach to this work.  

• We’ve also taken steps to mitigate spammy behavior on our service, in line with the Twitter Rules on platform manipulation and spam.  

• Further, content that wishes, hopes or expresses a desire for death, serious bodily harm or fatal disease against an individual is against our rules.

Justin Vallejo2 October 2020 19:46

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