According to his spokesperson, Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence tested negative for coronavirus. The news came after the announcement that President Trump and the first lady tested positive.
In a tweet, the vice president’s press secretary, Devin O’Malley, said, “this morning, Vice President Pence and the Second Lady tested negative for COVID-19. Vice President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery,” as cited in a news report.
“Karen and I send our love and prayers to our dear friends President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS Melania Trump. We join millions across America praying for their full and swift recovery. God bless you, President Trump & our wonderful First Lady Melania.”
Vice President Mike Pence tweeted
A few individuals from Trump’s internal circle will be checked intently following a bustling seven day stretch of campaigning and crusading with the President. Both the President and his wife started self-isolating Thursday night after getting a word of aide Hope Hicks’ positive test, which was revealed prior in the day. However, the President’s physician released a memo saying that the President and the first lady “are both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence,”
It is vague how much contact Pence has had with Trump, who declared early Friday that he and his wife had tested positive. Yet, in a campaign appearance Tuesday night, Pence told allies he’d seen direct Trump’s readiness for that night’s discussion.
“I can tell you I left the president earlier today in the Oval Office, and he’s ready,”
Vice President Mike Pence
Pence had likewise joined the President for Rose Garden occasions on Monday and Saturday. On Sunday, both the President and vice president went to a White House gathering for fallen service members’ relatives. However, according to Pence’s physician, he did not meet the quarantine guidelines.
Senior scholar Amesh Adalja of the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security said he needed more details about Pence’s contact with Trump and exposure to other Covid-19 positives to assess the physicians’ judgment.
“It’s hard to know that unless you have first-hand knowledge.”
Amesh Adalja
According to Brooking Center for Effective Public Management Deputy Director John Hudak, the vice president should cancel campaign trips or attend private events regardless of health guidelines.
“The vice president’s health right now is just as critically important as the president’s health is. Keeping him well…ensuring that he continues to test negative for COVID, is in the national security interests of the United States.”
John Hudak
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