Washington: Just a few days after he was hospitalised for Covid-19, US President Donald Trump, still likely contagious with coronavirus infection, left Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre and returned to the White House.
He immediately ignited a new controversy by declaring that despite his illness the nation should not fear the virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans and then he entered the White House without a protective mask.
Trump’s message alarmed infectious disease experts and suggested the President’s own illness had not caused him to rethink his often-cavalier attitude toward the disease, which has also infected the first lady and several White House aides, including new cases revealed Monday.
Landing at the White House on Marine One, Trump gingerly climbed the South Portico steps, removed his mask and declared, ‘I feel good.’
He gave a double thumbs-up to the departing helicopter from the portico terrace, where aides had arranged American flags for the sunset occasion. He entered the White House, where aides were visible milling about the Blue Room, without wearing a face covering.