US Official Says "COVID-19 99% Harmless," Gives Up Correcting Trump’s Statement

Steven Han, FDA Director, Says "Can't Say Who Is Right or Wrong"
Former FDA Director Refutes, "Over 1% of Infected Are in Serious Condition"

U.S. President Donald Trump is returning to the White House after playing golf on the 5th.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Steven Hahn, Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), neither confirmed nor denied President Donald Trump's statement that COVID-19 is 99% harmless. It appears that the health official has given up on correcting the president's inaccurate remarks.

In an interview on CNN's "State of the Union" on the 5th, when repeatedly asked by the host whether the president's remarks made during his Independence Day celebration speech the previous day were incorrect, Steven Hahn said, "I will not say who is right or wrong."

President Trump claimed in his speech the day before, "We have tested about 40 million people. As a result of that many tests, many cases were confirmed, but 99% are completely harmless," sparking controversy.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) presented scenarios at the end of May regarding the severity and transmissibility of COVID-19, estimating that 35% of infected individuals show no symptoms.

Commissioner Hahn also avoided specific comments when asked whether Florida, where COVID-19 cases are surging, is a safe location to hold the Republican National Convention. He said, "I think it is too early to say," and added, "We need to see how this unfolds in Florida and across the country."

President Trump initially criticized North Carolina’s policy against early reopening of economic activities, which was the original site planned for the convention, and decided to move the convention to Florida. However, Florida has since become the largest COVID-19 "hotspot" in the U.S. Johns Hopkins University reported that Florida’s cumulative COVID-19 cases have surpassed 200,000.

On the other hand, former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb actively criticized President Trump's remarks. In an interview with CBS, he stated, "If infected with COVID-19, clearly more than 1% will experience severe symptoms," refuting the president's claim that over 99% of cases are harmless. He also emphasized, "2 to 5% of infected individuals require hospitalization."

Republican figures also expressed concern over President Trump's remarks. Carlos Gimenez, Mayor of Miami and a Republican, asserted, "The virus is not harmless." Florida, where Miami is located, reported 11,400 new infections on the 4th alone.

CNN pointed out that Commissioner Hahn's remarks exemplify how U.S. officials are afraid to correct President Trump's statements and indicate that trust between the American public and health authorities is deteriorating.