Trump holds first public event since COVID-19 diagnosis

Mr Donald Trump has held his first public event since being diagnosed with COVID-19, as the United States president seeks to show the public he is fit to resume campaigning ahead of the November 3 elections.

Trump was not wearing a mask as he addressed a crowd of a few hundreds cheering supporters on Saturday afternoon from a White House balcony, where he spoke about issues related to maintaining ‘law and order in the country.

The speech came after White House physician Sean Conley said the president could once again hold public events as of Saturday, 10 days after he tested positive for COVID-19.

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says people infected with COVID-19 can see others 10 days after their symptoms first appeared, provided their symptoms are improving and they have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of medication.

But public health experts have cautioned against holding large public events where congregants do not wear masks to prevent the potential spread of the novel coronavirus—and some worried observers have questioned Trump’s decision to hold Saturday’s address.