Twitter users took President Donald Trump to task after he suggested in a rambling interview that it would be OK if people infected with the coronavirus ignored official advice to isolate and went to work instead.
Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Wednesday night:
A lot of people will have this and it’s very mild. They’ll get better very rapidly. They don’t even see a doctor. They don’t even call a doctor. You never hear about those people. So you can’t put them down in the category of the overall population in terms of this corona flu and/or virus. So you just can’t do that. So, if you know, we have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that get better just by, you know, sitting around and even going to work. Some of them go to work, but they get better.
Check out the clip here:
Here is the President of the United States telling the country it's okay to go to work with Coronavirus.
— Matt Rogers 🎙 (@Politidope) March 5, 2020
I'm not kidding. pic.twitter.com/Tz4kKbyear
Trump has been peddling falsehoods and downplaying the virus threat amid his administration’s haphazard response, even as COVID-19 illnesses spread in the U.S.
Critics on social media appeared exasperated by Trump’s “go to work” suggestion, which contradicts Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that people with COVID-19 should “not go to work school or public areas” and “avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing or taxis.”
Not a doctor or a virologist or anything but DEFINITELY DO NOT GO TO WORK IF YOU HAVE CORONAVIRUS PLEASE AND THANK YOU. https://t.co/CpSxbvCHGs
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) March 5, 2020
Trump has had briefings from the nation's best doctors and scientists on #COVIDー19 and he still spouts total, dangerous bullshit.
— Peter Gleick (@PeterGleick) March 5, 2020
He's not only stupid, he's unteachable. https://t.co/phw5V5s5As
Am a doctor. Don’t go to work with Coronavirus. Don’t listen to Stupid. https://t.co/5tmnuyhYrE
— Dr. Kathie Allen #DemCast (@kathieallenmd) March 5, 2020
It’s difficult to wrap your head around the fact that the president called into a TV show & made a series of statements during a pandemic directly contradicting public health advice. The mind boggles at how reckless & dangerous that is. People who follow his bad advice could die.
— Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) March 5, 2020
Please don’t go to work if you have the coronavirus
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) March 5, 2020
Love him or hate him it doesn't matter please do not listen to him about this. If you get the #caronavirus please follow the CDC guidelines to minimize the spread. Just because you have few symptoms doesn't mean the person you pass it to will be the same, it could kill them. https://t.co/Y4sSP6Cx1o
— Eric Garcia (@EricG1247) March 5, 2020
That is infuriating. This is a level of irresponsibility that is almost akin to shooting bullets randomly into crowds.
— Pennie Reese (@pennie_reese) March 5, 2020
Trying to kill your voters is an odd move. https://t.co/HZZajA6Ks9
— Giovanni Tiso (@gtiso) March 5, 2020
These are really dangerous lies. https://t.co/LAQpiOOPPG
— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) March 5, 2020
Italy has just closed all their schools and we have President Dr Frankenstein down playing the risk because of poll numbers.
— Andrea R MD (@AndreaR9Md) March 5, 2020
If you are sick, please do not go to work! Damn! https://t.co/oNupCnNTpe
— Jenny Han (@jennyhan) March 5, 2020
Holy shit what a fucking moron. https://t.co/P5NuuN6hLg
— Randi Blue No Matter Fucking Who Singer (@rmayemsinger) March 5, 2020
this is also a man who's idea of 'going to work' is watching recorded cable news programs followed by 18 holes of golf
— 😷 sean spitzer (@snsptzr) March 5, 2020
Our idiot president is trying to get Americans killed right here. Because he's a moron.
— Hugh Howey (@hughhowey) March 5, 2020
What does it take before all Americans want this clown gone? https://t.co/hFxK4VEYji
Trump calls it “Corona flu” and says, “Some people are getting better by sitting around.”
— Touré (@Toure) March 5, 2020
Please God make it stop. https://t.co/NWWwAYt4hv
What do you expect from a man who looked at the eclipse without any protective glass?
— 💫Patsy💥Dryden ☘️🌊🦋🙏🏻🌺 (@Patta47cake) March 5, 2020
A change must come in November.
Is encouraging an entire nation to deliberately spread a deadly pandemic an impeachable offense? Asking for a friend. https://t.co/e6FEnlvawh
— Charles Gaba (@charles_gaba) March 5, 2020
Well we wouldn't want to burden corporations with having to pay workers for sick days. https://t.co/o0DPmJWTP7
— Erik Kain (@erikkain) March 5, 2020
Going to work with a Covid19 infection should be considered an act of bioterrorism if the person has already been warned.
— 🌊Nell🏳️🌈 (@Nellethiell) March 5, 2020
a little knowledge is dangerous.
— Damian Holbrook (@damianholbrook) March 5, 2020
total ignorance is now presidential. https://t.co/G4kL8ywAwX
I know a remarkable number of people who are following his lead and saying it's just a cough and a runny nose.
— Dennis Mersereau (@wxdam) March 5, 2020
The flu kills 0.1% of people who get it.
Coronavirus seems to have a 2-3% mortality rate (probably a bit lower) and a concerning rate of developing pneumonia. https://t.co/fmCRipB37p
Trump keeps going to work and infecting millions of people with stupid. https://t.co/gotGmmwTnz
— Rick G. Rosner (@dumbassgenius) March 5, 2020
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.