Officials react, send well wishes to Trump, first lady after covid diagnosis
Officials from across the county, state and world began reacting early Friday morning to reports that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for covid-19.
Trump revealed their diagnosis in a late-night tweet.
Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
In wishing them speedy recovery, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman said that “any sarcastic, cruel or celebratory sentiments are wholly inappropriate and violate basic decency.”
Any sarcastic, cruel, or celebratory sentiments are wholly inappropriate and violate basic decency.
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) October 2, 2020
Gov. Tom Wolf wished the Trumps speedy recoveries at the start of a news conference on health care reform Friday.
.@GovernorTomWolf begins his press conference on healthcare reform by wishing President Trump and the First Lady speedy recoveries.
— Megan Guza (@meganguzaTrib) October 2, 2020
U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey both offered well wishes.
COVID-19 is a serious illness that has impacted millions of American families. I wish President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump a speedy recovery following their positive test. I will keep them in my prayers.
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) October 2, 2020
Sending along best wishes to @realdonaldtrump and @flotus on a full and speedy recovery. https://t.co/QMFG8LXjza
— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) October 2, 2020
Rep. Mike Doyle said he was “very concerned” by Trump’s announcement.
I am very concerned by President Trump’s announcement that he and the First Lady have tested positive for COVID-19. I wish them both a speedy and complete recovery.
— Mike Doyle (@USRepMikeDoyle) October 2, 2020
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald also wished them a speedy recovery.
I want to pass along my best wishes to the President and the First Lady for a speedy recovery.
The news is a sobering reminder that this virus knows no boundaries and none of us are immune from contracting it.
— Allegheny Co. Exec. (@ACE_Fitzgerald) October 2, 2020
”The news is a sobering reminder that this virus knows no boundaries and none of us are immune from contracting it,” Fitzgerald said. “We should all learn from the White House experience that wearing masks and physical distancing are critical to prevent the spread of this deadly virus.”
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a TribLive reporter covering news in New Kensington, Arnold and Plum. A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, Brian has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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