For the first time or for a long while, at least, US President Donald Trump called the virus that had been ravaging the world by its proper name, ‘coronavirus’, after his hospitalisation. Hitherto, he had always referred to it as ‘China virus’, uttering the word with a tinge of mockery and contempt for that country and defying the World Health Organisation’s stand that it should not be attached to any country and that its acronym is Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). Well, Trump apparently sets his own rules and is no respecter of international laws, much less any declaration by a world body as the WHO from which it unilaterally pulled off the United States in the wake of the Covid-19-pandemic, accusing it of pandering to China. Recall that Trump had ignored international law when it moved the US embassy from the word-recognized Israeli capital of Tel Aviv to the disputed city of Jerusalem.
Trump defied experts’ admonition on how to curtail the spread of the virus by frequently shunning wearing of masks in public and non adherence to physical distancing at rallies, etc. In the beginning, he was shaking hands with literally everybody. He later stopped that but continued to discourage, through his own example, wearing of face/nose masks and social distancing. Unsurprisingly, his family members, aides and supporters took after him as could be seen from photos at his rallies and other public outings. At the last presidential debate, his family members and aides who accompanied him physically to the event, shoved aside face masks that were being offered them by the debate officials.
Trump defied scientific evidence by asserting that Covid-19 is like the common flu, that it would disappear in a jiffy. Indeed, President Trump only fell short of declaring the novel coronavirus nonexistent.
Several months later, Covid-19 is still very much alive in the world, especially in the US itself and Europe. Worldwide, over 35 million people have been infected with over one million deaths; while in Trump’s own country, to-date, over seven million Americans have contracted the disease and it has killed over 200,000.
Trump defied medical protocols by proclaiming that chloroquine, basically, prevents/cures coronavirus, proudly averring that he had been taking it himself with good results, apparently, because he was still well, alive and kicking. This was against standard practice that such blunt declarations be made by relevant medical authorities. It was also against medical research, which says that there is no fool-proof evidence about that drug being able to cure Covid-19 as yet. In fact, as at this moment, experts say there is no cure for this disease. And Trump yet, again, defied standard research protocols by gleefully announcing that a vaccine for coronavirus shall be out by November 3. That is, before the much awaited US presidential election D-day. This was against medical research step by step procedures which take at least one year for a drug or vaccine to be certified fit for public use, according to experts.
Notwithstanding Trump’s legendary defying acts as detailed above and being more or less a law unto himself who gets over any infractions without any visible immediate repercussions, President Trump could not defy Covid-19 protocols for long as the disease eventually caught up with him.
Coronavirus dealt him a blow and with it, his braggadocio, macho, strongman attitude/posture. Despite the fact that the White House Clinic is more or less like a full-fledged hospital, equipped with latest medical gadgets that can treat practically all types of ailments, his highly qualified presidential medical team had to admit to themselves that this is a disease they could not cope with. And so they had to, so to speak, seek more help by rushing him to a military hospital in Bethesda. Can you imagine the ‘invincible’ strong man of the ‘world’ lying prostrate on a hospital bed, helpless, obediently taking and following orders from the doctors; this same Trump that is used to barking out orders at people? The picture of him boarding the helicopter to the hospital and thereafter shows him wearing a mask. On Sunday when he took a brief ride to salute his supporters massing outside the hospital, he was wearing a mask inside the vehicle. The security officer with him was fully kitted with a personal protection equipment cloak, a medical mask and ventilator.
Just before he was taken to the hospital, Trump posed for a photo that he sent out to the American people, apparently, to show that he is a strongman, a fighter who would beat Covid-19. A Canadian writer analysed the picture thus, “There Donald Trump stood in a near-barren room in the White House doing what he loves to do most – starring into a camera. But this time he looked worn, his shoulders slumped. The tissue-thin vitality of his perpetual bronze sprayed—on tan was gone. Instead, Trump glaring, almost sheet-white complexion revealed a suddenly small and sick man. He looked like a man who understood that he had been infected by a potentially lethal virus…. More than anything, Trump looked frightened” Trump returned to the White House on Monday to continue with his convalescence. I do hope that this fatal disease that left President Trump, leader of the ‘free world’, helpless for some two, three days would have humbled him. The experience should make him empathise with those that are suffering from the disease, the sick of whatever ailment in general, physically challenged persons, the injured and dead in warfronts, the poor and marginalized people, all of whom he had mocked at one time or other, in one way or another.
He should consider his recovery a miracle and be thankful to the Almighty. And one way by which he can show his gratitude is by preaching and engendering love among all Americans no matter the condition or circumstance in which they were/are born. Mr. President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, it is not enough to mouth your gratitude to the Almighty for saving your life from the pandemic. You should show it in thoughts, words and actions by adhering to this His Commandment, “Love thy neighbour as thy self”. I wish you well sir.
Ikeano writes from Lafia via [email protected] 08033077519
