President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus. Let us hope that they are lucky enough to have one of the milder cases of COVID-19 and that they are both on the mend as soon as possible.
While there will be time in the days ahead to engage in the inevitable debate over the political implications of this, the diagnosis should also be seen as a good indication of how resilient coronavirus really is.
It’s true that Trump travels with and interacts with a lot more people, both before and during the pandemic, than the average American. He has insisted on keeping up with rallies and has only intermittently worn a mask.
That said, Trump also has many more resources than the typical American. He has access to the most advanced, accurate, and rapid tests for the coronavirus and he is tested regularly. Those who come in close contact with him are also screened and tested. When he travels, it is always by private car or airplane.
So while active, in many ways, Trump lives in a bubble.
That the virus was able to pierce through that bubble, penetrate into Trump’s inner circle and get at him and his wife, shows just how pesky and contagious this virus is, and why it has been so difficult to get under control.
Even after having dominated our lives for the past seven months, and after all our advancements in understanding of the virus, ultimately it is just hard to stop from spreading — even with testing and other mitigation measures. And ultimately anybody is at risk of getting it.
