Other Views: The health of the leader of the free world

“At 74, Donald Trump is ... 90 times more likely to die of COVID- 19 than someone ages 18- 29, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trump’s health as he battles a virus that has killed nearly 210,000 Americans cannot be minimized or mischaracterized as a private issue. Americans must be confident that the leader of the free world is physically able to carry out his duties.”

Neera Tanden, USA TODAY:

“I have had COVID- 19. ... I just turned 50 and I have no preexisting conditions, but I ended up being ill for six weeks. I never had a fever and my oxygen levels were fine, yet a week into my diagnosis I was sleeping 18 to 20 hours a day. ... I had severe muscle aches and stomach aches. Well into my illness, I went to do laundry and by the end of it I was so exhausted I had to sleep some more. My memory was hazy, my head felt cloudy, and I couldn’t operate in any way close to normal. There was no way I could do my job. ... I never had to go to the hospital, ( yet) my illness was debilitating. It gave me a renewed insight into the suffering of many of the 7.5 million infected Americans and what they are going through every day as they combat this virus.”

The Wall Street Journal, the Editorial Board:

“Trump will no doubt be frustrated that his campaign is confined to his personal residence or his office at Walter Reed hospital, but that may be an opportunity. ... Trump can show optimism and fortitude and maybe even good humor in coping. He could also use the time, and his virtual media appearances, to make a positive case for a second term. His strategy of attacking Joe Biden and son Hunter personally isn’t working, so why not use fireside chats to frame the policy differences? He was headed for probable defeat before his new diagnosis, so he has little to lose by trying. If Trump recovers soon, his example will underscore his larger campaign theme that America can return to a semblance of normal life and commerce despite the virus.”