United States President Donald Trump became the most prominent world leader to have contracted the coronavirus last week. The behaviour of the American president has been erratic and rather bizarre ever since he was diagnosed with the disease.
The pandemic has killed over 200,000 people in the United States and has also affected many senior politicians. Trump contracted the virus from an adviser but still went out campaigning and attended a fundraiser. After he tested positive, Trump appeared unfazed and called on his supporters to come out and pretended that he was working even in hospital.
The most bizarre moment occurred when the COVID-positive president walked out of the hospital for a drive-by risking of the lives of others. Two Secret Service agents protecting the president were immediately placed in quarantine. Days later, the president returned back to White House without recovering and has now hinted at returning to campaigning and holding a rally.
The presidential election is less than a month away and the president has been trailing in national polls. Many of his plans like nominating a Supreme Court judge and extended the financial stimulus for COVID-19 have been pushed aside. Now the president has employed the deadly disease as a tool to gain political leverage despite being criticised for his handling of the pandemic.
Trump’s condition has forced the second presidential debate to be cancelled. The organizers had called for a virtual debate which was rejected by the president. The first debate was rowdy and chaotic as the president interrupted his challenger Joe Biden and both traded insults at each other. The campaign for the elections has been impacted by the pandemic but also the president’s own action.
The US president is considered the most powerful man in the world and receives global coverage. Such behaviour places not just the lives of those in close proximity but also those who may be influenced by him. The deadly virus should not be taken lightly despite the political affiliation. Perhaps common sense and acceptance of science should taken precedence by global leaders.
