For at least the next few days and perhaps the next several weeks, all the other momentous stories that have convulsed 2020 will be set aside as we await further word on President Donald Trump's health condition.
He is hospitalized at Walter Reed with multiple symptoms and is receiving various treatments. They are checking his blood oxygen level, which is done by attaching a clip to your index finger. If that should fall, further treatments will be indicated.
They will be monitoring his blood pressure and his heart rate. All of these procedures are familiar to me; I've had them scores of times over the past year.
As of yet, there is no reason to think he will be unable to carry out the duties of his office, but the contingencies have to be considered.
If his condition worsens, which is a distinct possibility, there is a process by which he will have to step aside, at least temporarily.
Section 3 of the 25th Amendment says that a President can declare themselves "unable to discharge the powers and duties of their office" (unable to do their job). He or she must say this in a written letter to both the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In that case, V-P Mike Pence would then take over.
There is also the possibility that Trump may die while still in office or during the transitional period from Nov. 3 - Jan 20 next year.
As a well-known germaphobe, the President' illness suggests that many others around him are probably infected as well. Despite the best possible medical support, regular testing and all the resources to protect his health and safety, Trump could not avoid getting the virus.
That means it also got through to a lot of other people as well. So far, at least nine have tested positive.
As we contemplate the consequences, we have to realize that many top officials may soon be sidelined and have to step aside. These are scenarios that suggest that the government may soon be paralyzed.
Hopefully, none of this comes to pass. Overseas, around a half dozen other leaders, including the U.K. prime minister and the presidents of several South American countries, have gotten Covid and recovered.
Let's hope that is the case with Trump.
But for now, the Biden campaign is taking the high ground -- they have pulled all negative ads about Trump in their quest to win the election a month from today.
Regardless of Trump's health, the election will occur. My own ballot arrived today.
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Here are the headlines.
* New Layoffs Add to Worries Over U.S. Economic Slowdown -- A standoff over further federal aid and concern over the pandemic’s duration are pushing companies to eliminate jobs. (NYT)
* NYS Comptroller Audit: Up To 50% Of NYC Bars And Restaurants Could Close Permanently In Next 6 Months (CBS)
* Hundreds of earthquakes continue to rattle Southern California, USGS says (SactoBee)
* Amy Coney Barrett, Trump’s Supreme Court Pick, Signed Anti-Abortion Ad -- Her statement appears to be the most direct evidence of her personal views, ones she has vowed to set aside on the bench. (NYT)
* Amazon says nearly 20,000 employees have caught the coronavirus (WashPo)
* McMaster, Mostly Silent Until Now, Says Trump Is ‘Aiding and Abetting Putin’s Efforts’ -- “This sustained campaign of disruption, disinformation, and denial, is aided by any leader who doesn’t acknowledge it,” President Trump’s former national security adviser said. (NYT)
* Justice Dept., FBI plan for possibility of Election Day violence, disruptions (WashPo)
* A pandemic and record-setting wildfires are putting unprecedented challenges on election officials this year. Neighborhood polling places such as schools, churches and nursing homes have been harder to secure, and voting locations must adhere to strict safety guidelines. Furthermore, when 21 million ballots are mailed to voters next week, thousands of Californians displaced by wildfires might be unable to receive ballots. (NYT)
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“I like too many things and get all confused and hung-up running from one falling star to another till I drop. This is the night, what it does to you. I had nothing to offer anybody except my own confusion.”
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