Trump Suggests Injecting Disinfectant Into Humans To Treat Coronavirus, Prompts Lysol Health Warnings

President Donald Trump‘s suggestion of treating coronavirus by injecting disinfectants has caused the distributor of Lysol and the American Cleaning Institute to issue statements rebuking the president’s statement.

“And then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning?” Trump said Thursday, after musing about sunlight killing the novel coronavirus. Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force, said she has not seen any research indicating the virus can be killed with heat.

Trump continued, “Because you see it gets in the lungs, and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it would be interesting to check that. So you’re going to have to use medical doctors with — but it sounds interesting to me.”

Trump was directing his comments to the acting undersecretary of Science and Technology at the Department of Homeland Security, Bill Bryan. However, on Friday, Trump insisted he was “asking a question sarcastically to reporters.”

Q: “Could you clarify your comments about injections of disinfectant?”

Trump: “I was asking a question sarcastically to reporters like you, just to see what would happen.”pic.twitter.com/ffNpAwzNdz

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 24, 2020 

He seemingly changed his mind about the comments being sarcastic, adding that investigating whether or not using a disinfectant on hands would be beneficial and that “Bill has gone back to check that in the laboratory.”

Trump’s comments, whether sarcastic or not, prompted reminders to avoid ingesting any disinfectant.

The American Cleaning Institute said in a news release Friday that “disinfectants are meant to kill germs or viruses on hard surfaces.”

“Under no circumstances should they ever be used on one’s skin, ingested or injected internally,” they continued. “We remind everyone to please use all hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting products as directed in order to ensure safe, effective and intended use of those products.”

Reckitt Benckiser, the British company that distributes Lysol, echoed the ACI’s warning, cautioning against the “internal administration” of disinfectants despite “recent speculation and social media activity.”

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams reminded Americans on Friday to consult doctors before self-medicating.

“Your safety is paramount, and doctors and nurses are have years of training to recommend what’s safe and effective,” he said.

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