Trump Tells People ‘Don’t Be Afraid of Covid’ Despite 200,000 Deaths

President Donald Trump has claimed he feels a new man following his return to the White House from Walter Reed medical center. The president still has COVID-19 but he’s been discharged and appeared on a balcony without a mask on Tuesday.

“I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good!” Trump tweeted. “Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!”

I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020

Trump’s upbeat attitude contrast with the ongoing pandemic in which more than 200,000 Americans have died and 7 million have been infected. There have also been serious questions about the decision to send the president back to the White House while he may still be infectious.

“When Trump walked through the doors, Walter Reed had a stellar reputation. As he walks out 72 hours later, its reputation is in tatters. There’s nothing Trump can’t ruin,” tweeted New York Times op-ed columnist Maureen Dowd on Monday.

When Trump walked through the doors, Walter Reed had a stellar reputation. As he walks out 72 hours later, its reputation is in tatters. There's nothing Trump can't ruin.

— Maureen Dowd (@maureendowd) October 5, 2020

“Will be back on the Campaign Trail soon!!! The Fake News only shows the Fake Polls,” Trump tweeted later. His campaign is expected to start holding in-person events again, despite major concerns that his rallies could act as super spreaders for the virus.

There has been limited social distancing and mask-wearing at Trump’s most recent rallies and the president mocked former Vice President Joe Biden for wearing a mask during the first presidential debate last week. It remains unclear when Trump will begin campaigning again.