President Trump was hospitalized after contracting COVID-19 on Oct. 2. He returned to the White House after just three nights in the hospital. He released a video a week later telling Americans to not let the virus “dominate” their lives.
“Don’t be afraid of it. You’re going to beat it. Don’t let it take over your lives,” Trump said in the video.
Despite his message, there are currently 7.4 million active COVID-19 cases nationwide, and over 210,000 deaths.
As of Oct. 20, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services, there were 232,937 COVID-19 total cases and 5,837 total deaths in Arizona. Out of the total cases, 150,881 of them were in Maricopa County. Of the 5,837 deaths in Arizona, 3,519 occurred in Maricopa County.
The video has since received mixed views from downtown Phoenix students and residents.
Many students who have a direct connection to the virus, either from getting it firsthand or from feeling the effects it has had on their college experience, are not pleased with Trump’s statement.
Downtown Phoenix resident and ASU sophomore Catherine Shaul, 19, said she felt that the president was “irresponsible” for making the video.
“I think that everyone is valid to have their own opinion but as president, I think it was irresponsible for him to say that,” she said. “Just because he survived Covid doesn’t mean others will, especially those with underlying health conditions. Yes, I had it and I ended up okay, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still concerned for others.”
Shaul tested positive for COVID-19 back in August and had symptoms for over 10 days. She described her experience as a “bad cold,” and during that time she also lost her sense of taste and smell.
Downtown Phoenix resident and ASU sophomore Janae Wade, 19, said that this statement made by the president makes her feel “unsafe.”
“He’s the president and promoting the idea to the people that COVID-19 isn’t a big deal, which it is,” she said.
Wade tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after arriving back to school for her sophomore year. While she was sick she also lost her sense of taste and smell. Even after she recovered from COVID-19, she still did not regained the two senses for a while and had to avoid seeing her mom so as to not accidentally expose her.
“It makes me worried to think about my family members, especially those at high risk, that they can become sick due to someone else’s recklessness,” she said.
Downtown Phoenix resident and ASU junior Sophia Shinherr, 20, is currently doing research with the university on the coronavirus and wants to enter the healthcare field as a career. She said she was “disappointed” in the president’s statement.
“I do not think the public should be instilled with fear, however, we must be informed and cautious,” Shinherr said.
Shinherr believes that those in power need to see the virus for what it is.
“Having public figures who support and respect infectious disease guidelines and precautions is how I believe we will decrease COVID-19 in the United States,” she said.
Not everyone, however, viewed the president’s video message in a critical light.
Downtown Phoenix resident Pep Escutia, 39, said he believes the president’s video was a wake-up call to Americans and that it was a positive message. He said the president’s message actually encouraged and reminded him that Americans are changing and must adapt to survive.
“We have to be smarter and stronger than what is out there to get us,” Escutia said. “It pushed me and gave me the confidence to push stronger and beat anything in front of me. We have to adapt and not let it take over our lives.”
Contact the reporter at ipfredri@asu.edu.
