As an ER doc who has been not just treating patients on the frontlines, but also working to get adequate #PPE and public health guidance to people across the country, I know how serious this virus is. I also know that it is possible to prevent its transmission.

Why do you think we created @getusppe? Why do you #healthcare workers took to the airwaves to call for #PPE and universal masking? For fun?

No.

We did it because MASKING WORKS. It reduces infection rates by (depending on the study) 50-90%. https://www.wsj.com/articles/face-masks-really-do-matter-the-scientific-evidence-is-growing-11595083298

I & many others have been quite worried for months about Trump's risk of infection given his continued flouting of basic public health precautions, by not wearing a mask and not maintaining social distancing. He had every opportunity to stay safe.

And - I should note - he is at quite high risk of severe disease given his age. (The worst symptoms will come in 7-10 days.) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fneed-extra-precautions%2Fpeople-at-increased-risk.html

He could and should have avoided infection himself; and he could and should have acted to reduce risk of infection for millions of other Americans.

I am so profoundly disappointed.

As an optimist, I hope this means that we'll start seeing full-throated endorsement & support of PPE by the White House.

As a realist, I fear we'll continue to founder. I pray that we will not face further catastrophe due to science denialism.