Trump says son ‘just fine’ after bout with virus
DES MOINES, Iowa: Under siege over his handling of the Covid19 pandemic, United States President Donald Trump yesterday cited what he said was his son’s mild bout of the virus as a reason why American schools should reopen as soon as possible.
Republican Trump made the comment about his son, Barron, while at a rally at the Des Moines, Iowa, airport.
His opponent, Democrat Joe Biden, announced on Twitter his campaign raised $US383 million ($NZ576 million) in September, adding to a campaign war chest that is already dwarfing the Trump campaign’s. Biden had $US432 million cash on hand, the campaign said.
Melania Trump said in a statement earlier in the day the virus that struck both her and her husband had also infected their 14yearold son.
‘‘I don’t even think he knew he had it,’’ Donald Trump said of Barron, ‘‘because they’re young and their immune systems are strong and they fight it off, 99.9% and Barron is beautiful. And he’s free.’’
‘‘Barron’s tested positive. Within, like, two seconds it was Barron is just fine now. He’s tested negative, right? Because it happens. People have it and it goes. Get the kids back to school, we’ve got to get the kids back to school.’’
Trump has sought to convince states to reopen schools and return to normal, but teachers’ unions have fought the move, arguing teachers could be infected by their pupils. Funding for protective measures at schools has been caught up in a partisan fight in Washington.
Trump’s Iowa stop was part of a barnstorming tour across states critical to deciding who will win the November 3 election.
Today he will be in North Carolina and Florida, tomorrow he will campaign in Florida and Georgia and on Sunday he will speak in Michigan and Wisconsin. All of these are states he won in 2016 but are in danger of going to Biden this year.
Today, Trump and Biden, who had been due to hold a second presidential debate, will instead take part in duelling televised town halls.
NBC News said Trump’s event in Miami would take place outdoors to prevent the spread of Covid19, while Biden’s ABC News event will take place in Philadelphia. — Reuters