Top U.S. Military Chiefs Quarantine After Exposure To COVID-19

Vice commandant of the US Coast Guard, Adm. Charles W Ray, tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday, forcing America’s top military leaders to place themselves under quarantine. This news comes after President Donald Trump returned to the White House to recover after his COVID-19 diagnosis and hospitalization Friday.

The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Gen. Mark Milley, and vice-chairman Gen. John Hyten met with Ray in a meeting Friday morning, in the classified Pentagon meeting room, known as “The Tank.” This is where it is assumed Ray exposed the most military officials to coronavirus, although Ray had many other meetings that day with other officials as well.

Gen. Milley also attended a White House reception for military families very recently, where both Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were present, prior to their COVID-19 diagnoses.

The White House is now considered one of the most infectious COVID-19 zones in the country. Although the Trump Administration has kept under wraps the exact number of infections there have been, it appears as though dozens of White House aides and staff members have tested positive.

Trump, who is still considered contagious with COVID-19, returned to the White House Monday night, and announced via Twitter that he is still planning to head to Miami next week for his debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden. It was reported by his doctor, Sean Conley, that Trump had a “restful” first night back in the White House, and was not symptomatic Tuesday morning.

Trump announced on Twitter he was “FEELING GREAT!” after he emerged from the Marine One helicopter on the south lawn of the White House at around 7 p.m. Monday night, removed his mask and smiled for photos.

His attempts at projecting a strong image has met with considerable backlash.

“I could not imagine a greater act of selfishness by a human being, let alone the president of the United States,” Neera Tanden, president for the Center for American Progress think tank, said. “(He) is supposed to protect us. He’s doing the opposite, he’s endangering people around him.”