The White House announced it has hired “a ‘well-being’ consultant” to help executive residence staff with mental health concerns.
The announcement, made by the first lady’s office Tuesday, says staff members can speak anonymously to the consultant. It is not clear if the person has started work.
The announcement listed several “health and safety precautions” being taken by the White House to assist residence staff, who are separate from West Wing staffers.
“Staff wear full PPE and continue to take all necessary precautions, which include updated procedures to protect against cross contamination,” the statement says. “Full PPE” is not defined.
Trump is being treated for the coronavirus after announcing his surprise diagnosis early Friday morning. He spent three days at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center before returning to the White House Monday evening.
His return to the White House brings with it a host of safety concerns for staff and aides. The coronavirus is an easily transmitted disease — updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance warns that the virus can travel through the air beyond 6 feet.
Whether Trump will wear a mask inside the residence is not known. The White House has said that CDC guidance is in effect. However, Trump was seen removing his mask and saluting Marine One on the main South Portico Balcony Monday, as photographers and other staff stood in cloth masks behind him.
“The American people can rest assured with the President’s return that the White House is taking every precaution necessary to protect not only him and the first family, but every staff member working on the complex to support the federal government’s operations consistent with CDC guidelines and best practices,” White House Press Secretary Judd Deere told the Washington Examiner when asked how the administration planned to accommodate and isolate the president, while protecting staff.
Deere added, “Physical access to the president will be significantly limited, and appropriate PPE will be worn when near him.” He gave no further detail on the personal protective equipment to be used.
Trump “will continue to receive around-the-clock medical care and monitoring from his physician and a team of dedicated physicians and nurses in the White House Medical Unit who function out of a state-of-the-art clinic, which includes many of the things a person would see in an urgent care clinic and much more, to ensure the commander-in-chief makes a full recovery and can continue to discharge his duties,” Deere said.
