“Feeling really good!” President Donald Trump had tweeted as he prepared to leave hospital for the White House. “Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life.”
His doctors allowed him to leave three days after being admitted with Covid-19.
He walked without assistance to the presidential helicopter for the short flight home.
For the president, of course home is not like where the rest of us live. The White House has extensive medical facilities, probably better than most hospitals, and he and first lady Melania will be monitored and treated around the clock.
Trump later made an appearance alone on the Truman Balcony of the White House. He removed his protective face mask, before giving a thumbs-up and a salute to onlookers. He was not with Melania, who has been isolating in the White House since she was diagnosed.
The president’s discharge comes as more new cases have been reported among his close staff. The latest to succumb was White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
Unsubstantiated rumours are circulating that the vector for the presidential cluster of infections may have been Hope Hicks, one of Trump’s closest aides.