Leave it to Donald Trump to rile up controversy and keep the world entertained by his antics.
Yesterday, he declared that he is taking Hydroxychloroquine to prevent COVID-19. Even though there is no evidence of hydroxychloroquine actually treating the virus.
Doctors have even warned that taking hydroxychloroquine without a doctor’s prescription can actually be lethal.
Hydroxychloroquine is just not safe for COVID-19 patients
Hydroxychloroquine has been mainly a drug to cure malaria, but it also comes with a host of side effects such as heart-rhythm problems.
Donald Trump said that his doctor didn’t actually prescribe the medicine to him, but he himself asked for the medicine from a White House doctor Dr Sean Conley.
After which Dr Conley said that he believes that “the benefits outweigh the risks.”
“This will kill you,” said scientists
There was a sharp response from people from all spectrum of media and politics, chiding Trump for this ignorant decision.
Even the right-wing news channel Fox News criticized Donald Trump. Fox News host Neil Cavuto warned the audience to not take hydroxychloroquine: “A VA study showed that among a population in a hospital receiving this treatment, those with vulnerable conditions — respiratory conditions, heart ailments — they died.”
Fox News's Neil Cavuto is stunned by Trump's announcement that he's taking hydroxychloroquine: "If you are in a risky population here, and you are taking this as a preventative treatment … it will kill you. I cannot stress enough. This will kill you." pic.twitter.com/e6D5alfAgc
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 18, 2020
“I want to stress again: They died. If you are in a risky population here, and you are taking this as a preventative treatment to ward off the virus or in a worst-case scenario you are dealing with the virus, it will kill you. I cannot stress enough: This will kill you.”
He also said the people should not follow Trump’s actions, thinking that just because the President of US is doing it that means it’s the right thing to do. He warned the people that even FDA uses this medicine very carefully, and only when it’s prescribed by medical experts.
“I only say this not to make a political point here, but a life-and-death point. Be very, very careful.”
Hydroxychloroquine should never be used for self-medication
?? WARNING ??
The FDA has repeatedly warned against taking hydroxychloroquine. It has potentially deadly side effects.
I can't stress this enough: Do NOT self-medicate with it.pic.twitter.com/FHeHBDxk6A
— Tim Ryan (@TimRyan) May 18, 2020
FDA has already declared that hydroxychloroquine should be taken only in clinical trials or hospitals where medical experts can keep an eye on what is happening.
Donald Trump, since he already has a history of heart disease, runs a much higher risk of heart failure.
So why is Trump really popping these pills?
Many others have remarked that Donald Trump is not actually taking the medicine but he’s just plainly lying. And his goal is to dupe his supporters and other gullible Americans into buying hydroxychloroquine so that the drug companies could earn a benefit.
So that would mean that Trump is basically running a covert advertising campaign for pharma companies. Perhaps nothing better could have been expected from a leader of right-wing ideology. Right-wing does survive on greed and selfishness, even if it means that lives are lost.
And lives will be lost, taking hydroxychloroquine without a prescription outside a controlled environment will kill you.
Featured Image Courtesy: Sky News