Trump COVID-19: Hollywood reacts with sarcasm, speculation

President Trump holds up his face mask during the first presidential debate earlier this week.

Oct. 2, 2020 Updated 3:25 PM PT

“October surprise” has taken on a whole new meaning.

Early Friday morning, President Trump announced on Twitter that he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

“We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately,” he tweeted. “We will get through this TOGETHER!”

The first lady corroborated the news on Twitter shortly thereafter, tweeting that “as too many Americans have done this year,” she and the president would be quarantining at home, in the White House.

Trump’s physician, Sean P. Conley, also confirmed the news in a widely circulated letter. “The President and First Lady are both well at this time,” Conley wrote.

Celebrities ranging from Cardi B to Jimmy Kimmel responded with a mixed bag of outrage, sarcasm and speculation.

Rapper Cardi B used the news to promote her new single, “Bet You Wanna,” with K-pop group Blackpink.

“When They See Us” filmmaker Ava DuVernay pointed out that the chaos of Thursday’s events was compounded by a harvest moon.

“The King of Staten Island” director Judd Apatow responded with the pointed assertion that the president has long downplayed the serious threat of the COVID-19 virus.

Late-night TV host Kimmel quipped about how he imagined Vice President Mike Pence reacting to the news, alluding to a parody food diary gone viral.

Here’s a sample of what others are saying:

Five things you need to know about COVID-19

UPDATED Oct. 2, 2020 | 5:15 PM

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

A lot of them are the same as symptoms of a cold or the flu: cough, sore throat, congestion or a runny nose, fatigue, muscle or body aches, fever or chills, and shortness of breath. A person with COVID-19 may also experience diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, or a new loss of taste or smell. In cases of serious illness, it can take time for symptoms to worsen.

How long does it take for symptoms to appear after a person is exposed to the coronavirus?

The first symptoms can appear in as few as two days, but it can also take as long as two weeks, according to the CDC. An incubation period of four or five days is more typical. However, a significant proportion of people who are infected — perhaps as much as 45% — never develop any symptoms, researchers say.

What should I do if I think I'm infected?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or you’ve been in close contact with someone who has it, the CDC recommends that you get a coronavirus test. Until you get your test results, you should assume you are infected. That means staying at home as much as possible so that you don’t risk infecting others. Of course, if you’re having a medical emergency, don’t be afraid to call 911.

Some diagnostic tests look for genetic evidence of the virus in a sample of saliva or a specimen collected from the nose or throat. Others can detect specific coronavirus molecules that prompt the immune system to produce infection-fighting antibodies.

How can I reduce my risk of infection?

Limit contact with people outside of your household. When you do go out, wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth and stay at least six feet away from others whenever possible. Clean your hands frequently by using soap and water for 20 seconds or a sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are dirty. At home, clean and disinfect tables, doorknobs, faucets and other frequently touched surfaces once a day.

How did the pandemic start?

Scientists think it began with a close relative of the novel coronavirus that has been circulating in bats and other animals for so long that it no longer makes them sick. That virus must have gained a key mutation that allowed it to infect humans. Health officials in China reported the first cases of the respiratory illness that came to be known as COVID-19 in December 2019. The first known case in Los Angeles was in January. California has had more than 800,000 confirmed cases since.

Celebs send Trump ‘thoughts and prayers’ after COVID-19 diagnosis. Well, not quite

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