The sheer newness of COVID-19 has been an issue for medical professionals the world over, who are all frantically working to uncover the secrets of the virus under the threat of illness or death themselves.
These are not the ideal conditions under which to be searching for a brand new chemical combination to thwart a novel virus, and so a number of yesteryear’s previously successful tactics are being put to the test. This is a virus after all, and we do know a thing or two about them.
One of the most talked about possible treatments being pondered includes the use of a popular anti-malarial drug that just so happens to be in President Donald Trump’s system.
President Trump revealed to reporters on Monday he’s taking the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in an effort to prevent getting coronavirus, saying he’s been taking a pill every day for about a week and a half.
“I’m taking it – hydroxychloroquine,” the president told reporters during a roundtable with restaurant leaders in the White House’s State Dining Room.
He added: “I think it’s good. I’ve heard a lot of good stories. And, if it’s not good, I’ll tell you right, I’m not going to get hurt by it.”
The president added that he consulted with the White House physician before starting to take the drug. Dr. Sean Conley, the president’s physician, announced in a statement Monday night, “After numerous discussions he and I had about regarding the evidence for and against the use of hydroxychloroquine, we concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks.”
The admission is sure to rile up the mainstream media, who have been busy speculating on President Trump’s fondness for citing hydroxychloroquine as a possible COVID-19 treatment.
