U.S. Surpasses 7.5 Million COVID-19 Cases Amid Trump White House Outbreak

The United States has now surpassed 7.5 million COVID-19 cases. According to Johns Hopkins University, 7,500,964 Americans have tested positive for COVID-19 resulting in more than 210,000 fatalities (210,886) for a fatality rate of 2.8%.

This tally comes amid a COVID breakout in the White House and close Republican allies which has afflicted the following people:

President Trump

First Lady Melania Trump

Hope Hicks

Kellyanne Conway

Senator Mike Lee

Senator Thom Tillis

Senator Ron Johnson

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany

Stephen Miller

I would be very shocked if we don't soon add Trump's attorney (and former New York City Mayor) Rudy Giuliani who coughed his way through an interview whilst attacking Joe Biden for responsibly wearing a mask.

The outbreak has also afflicted members of the White House Press Corps and presents a risk to custodians, ushers, kitchen staff and members of the U.S. Secret Service now that Trump has returned to the White House after three nights at Walter Reed Medical Center without any attempt at contact tracing following the now infamous Rose Garden ceremony introducing Supreme Court justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett late last month. At least, contact tracing was done after the Trump family and team's reckless behavior at last week's first presidential debate in Cleveland.

If that wasn't bad enough the entire U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staffs for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force and U.S. Cyber Command have gone into quarantine after a top Coast Guard official tested positive for COVID-19.

Of course, the vast majority of the 7.5 million Americans who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 are not a part of President Trump's orbit. But they should be as many of them saw fit to vote for Donald Trump four years ago. Trump has given little reason to those they have left behind to give him a lifeline denied to their loved ones. 

A COVID-19 case toll of 7.5 million and counting is a stain on the Trump presidency. A COVID-19 outbreak taking place at the White House and Republican circles less than four weeks prior the presidential election is bound the erode the last possible shred of public confidence the Trump Administration has left. One can only hope Vice President Mike Pence (the ostensible head of the White House Coronavirus Task Force) will have much to answer for from Kamala Harris on Wednesday night. In which case, Pence might need something stronger than plexiglass to protect him from Harris' righteous indignation and ire.