Local Officials Offer Encouragement To President Trump And First Lady Following Positive COVID Tests
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Early on Friday morning it was learned that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19.
As the morning continued, local officials offered words of encouragement and caution to Mr. Trump.
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald took the news as an opportunity to remind people that the virus does not have a political persuasion.
WATCH: Local leaders wish the Trumps speedy recoveries
"I certainly want to pass along my best wishes to the President and the First Lady for a speedy recovery," Fitzgerald told KDKA's Lindsay Ward. "The news is a sobering reminder that this virus knows no boundaries and none of us are immune from contracting it. We should all learn from the White House experience that wearing masks and physical distancing are critical to prevent the spread of this deadly virus."
Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman and his wife Gisele offered their thoughts via Fetterman's Twitter account, wishing for a full recovery.
Gisele and I sincerely and unequivocally wish a rapid, full recovery to the President and First Lady.
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) October 2, 2020
Fetterman also called for decency.
Any sarcastic, cruel, or celebratory sentiments are wholly inappropriate and violate basic decency.
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) October 2, 2020
Joining Fetterman was Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey.
Sending along best wishes to @realdonaldtrump and @flotus on a full and speedy recovery. https://t.co/QMFG8LXjza
— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) October 2, 2020
Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale offered the First Family a speedy recovery.
Saddened to hear the news regarding President Trump and the First Lady, wishing them both a speedy and full recovery. This virus has touched all of us, everyone please wear a mask and stay safe.
— Eugene DePasquale (@DePasqualePA) October 2, 2020
Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is releasing the following statement regarding the news that President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19:
"COVID-19 is a serious illness that has impacted millions of American families. I wish President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump a speedy recovery following their positive test. I will keep them in my prayers."
At the beginning of an unrelated news conference on Friday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf offered the following wishes:
"I just want to wish the President and First Lady the best of health. As i think you all know, they both tested positive for COVID-19. I just wish them both a speedy recovery. This can't be easy."
Later in the day, Governor Wolf wished a speedy recovery to President Trump and the First Lady as well.
President Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19 after one of his closest advisors, Hope Hicks, had begun displaying symptoms and tested positive for the virus.
For more details on President Trump and the White House's response to the positive test, head to CBS News.
KDKA's Lindsay Ward will have more on this story on Your Day Pittsburgh and KDKA Morning News.
