In the United States 7,278,384 people have acquired COVID-19, and as of yesterday, we learned that the President of the United States Donald Trump and the First Lady, Melania tested positive for COVID.
Late night, 01 October, the President sent out a Tweet in which he advised the world of his having tested positive for COVID and that he and the First Lady will begin their quarantine immediately. The President is well, convalescing at home, and conducting his duties within the White House according the physician to the President, Naval Commander Sean P. Conley.
No doubt the President was tested multiple times to ensure that the initial result of having contracted COVID was not a false positive prior to the statement and tweet providing confirmation.
There is no getting around the fact that COVID can be debilitating and the 207,808 who have perished in the United States due to COVID attests to the deadliness of the virus. COVID is a killer.
The President is a member of demographics most at risk.
He is 74-years old and appears to have a good bit of adipose tissue.
While it is no secret that I am not a fan of the President, and it would be easy to say, “We saw this coming” or “Now maybe he will take COVID more serious” the fact of the matter is, I hope that his recovery is swift and complete.
His incapacitation could create a national security crisis.
National Security Crisis
One need only look to the experience of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to understand the national security crisis which may lay ahead.
When the prime minister contracted COVID, his instance was sufficiently severe to have him admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for multiple days. While there, his party and the government assured the nation he was still able to conduct his duties, while also assuring the nation that should he become incapacitated (i.e. intubated) that continuity of government was not a mystery.
Continuity of Government
Should the President become incapacitated and unable to perform the duties of his office, the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 guide us as to the next steps.
The continuity of our government identifies the following individuals as the next ten in line:
- Vice President Mike Pence
- Speaker of the House of Representative Nancy Pelosi
- President Pro Tempore of the Senate Chuck Grassley
- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
- Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin
- Secretary of Defense Mark Esper
- Attorney General William P. Barr
- Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt
- Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue
- Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross
Contact Tracing
Within the national security discussion, contact tracing has never been more important. While MSNBC has identified some of the individuals who were with Hope Hicks this week, the media outlet did not do a comprehensive contact tracing.
Until we know with whom the President and his aide Hope Hicks came in contact with this past week. We don’t know which Cabinet members have been exposed. We haven’t visibility into which Trump family members require quarantine. Nor do we know which of our elected officials have been exposed. We know some White House staff and campaign staff have tested positive, but don’t know which have been exposed. Contact tracing is the only means to shed light on the situation .
Given the need for a smooth transition, there is no doubt, Vice President Pence and Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi would be prudent to self-isolate during the President’s period of quarantine and convalescence.
In closing, I do hope the Administration embraces the scientists and the public health officials guidance and adjust their personal optics and messaging on COVID.
We don’t need a national security crisis, nor do we need a constitutional crisis. Additionally, we don’t need another case of COVID, or death which it brings. We do need each and every one of us to wear our damn masks.
Thank you for your time,
Christopher Burgess
