White House virus protocol not changing despite diagnoses
President Donald Trump made the stunning announcement that he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 early Friday. Here’s what we know:
© ERIN SCHAFF
President Donald Trump descends from Air Force One at the airport in Morristown, N.J.
♦ Vice President Mike Pence tested negative for COVID-19 Friday morning, and his physician says that he doesn’t need to quarantine. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she had been tested but was awaiting results.
♦ President Trump is showing mild symptoms of the coronavirus, chief of staff Mark Meadows confirmed on Friday.
♦ Former vice president Joe Biden on Friday offered thoughts and prayers for the president and first lady, and he has tested negative for COVID-19.
3:24 p.m.
11 positive virus cases related to debate setup
By The Associated Press
Cleveland officials say they’re aware of 11 positive coronavirus cases related to the setup and planning for Tuesday’s presidential debate.
The city said in a statement Friday that it’s working with state and federal officials and is involved with interviewing those who tested positive.
Earlier Friday, President Donald Trump announced that he and the first lady had tested positive for COVID-19. Both traveled to Cleveland on Tuesday for the first presidential debate of the campaign. It’s unclear where they contracted the virus.
Cleveland officials say most of the cases stemming from the pre-debate planning and setup involved people from out of state. They say health officials are now looking into their travels.
3:21 p.m.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren wishes president and first lady a “quick and safe recovery”
By Lauren Booker, Globe Staff
On Twitter Friday afternoon, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren shared her thoughts and well wishes for the recovery of the Trumps, White House staff, and those who have come into contact with the president.
She also sent her thoughts to Americans who have survived COVID-19 or been affected by the virus, and noted that the virus has taken more than 200,000 Americans lives, including a “disproportionate number in Black and Brown communities.”
Later in the message, she brought up President Trump’s previous comments and actions regarding the coronavirus.
“The President spent months undermining the work of our doctors and scientists, while he failed to help states and communities contain the outbreak,” Warren wrote.
She ended her message by emphasizing that “COVID-19 is deadly.”
My statement on President Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis: pic.twitter.com/B4XWfpED9i
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) October 2, 2020
3:12 p.m.
White House virus protocol not changing despite diagnoses
By The Associated Press
The White House does not appear to be making any changes to current virus protocol, even after President Donald Trump and the first lady tested positive for COVID-19.
A senior White House official said Friday that masks will still not be mandatory at the White House, describing facial coverings as “a personal choice,” despite overwhelming evidence that they help to stop the spread.
And the White House is not planning to move to a different, more reliable testing system after the one it