Vice President Pence Spokesperson and Ivanka Secretary Test Positive... White House Paralysis Feared Amid Mask Neglect
Senior White House Advisor Steven Miller and Vice President Mike Pence's spokesperson Katie Miller. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Following the announcement that Mike Pence, the Vice President of the United States, tested positive for COVID-19, reports have emerged that a close aide to Ivanka Trump, senior advisor to the White House and daughter of President Donald Trump, has also contracted the virus. This comes a day after a White House staff member who serves as President Donald Trump's personal aide tested positive, indicating that the epidemic is spreading to the core of power.
On the 8th (local time), CNN cited sources reporting that a person assisting Ivanka with her personal work has been infected with COVID-19. CNN reported that the infected individual has been working from home for the past two months and apparently had no direct contact with Ivanka.
In this regard, CNN also cited another source stating that Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, senior advisors to the White House, were tested for COVID-19 on the same day and received negative results.
This news came after the announcement of Katie Miller, Vice President Pence's spokesperson, testing positive, which made the situation even more shocking. Previously, Katie Miller's positive diagnosis had a strong impact on the White House and Washington political circles, as her husband is Stephen Miller, a senior advisor to President Trump and one of his closest aides. Given that Stephen Miller is a key aide to President Trump, concerns naturally arise that the President himself could be within the infection risk zone. Furthermore, the revelation that Ivanka's aide has also been infected has intensified doubts about the White House's health and security measures.
A White House correspondent reported that reporters who had contact with spokesperson Miller the day before were instructed to get tested for COVID-19 before leaving work.
Vice President Pence also experienced a commotion when he was about to travel by Air Force Two for an external event, as those among his entourage suspected of possible infection were urgently excluded following Miller's positive diagnosis.
Despite the concerns about infection, White House officials have been criticized for not wearing masks. On the same day, President Trump did not wear a mask while interacting with veterans in their 90s, a high-risk age group, at a World War II victory commemoration event. The White House spokesperson also faced criticism for conducting a briefing without a mask, even though all reporters were wearing masks.
Meanwhile, President Trump has decided to spend the weekend at the presidential retreat, continuing the practice from last week of leaving the White House for the weekend.
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