- Details
- By Levi Rickert
WASHINGTON — What appeared to be a stream of consciousness thought verbalized by the President at Thursday’s White House coronavirus task force press briefing drew immediate criticism from physicians and other medical experts.
At Thursday’s daily press brief, President Trump suggested injection of disinfectants may be a way to cure someone who test positive for COVID-19. The president made the remark after the head of the Department of Homeland Security's science and technology division, gave a presentation on research his team has conducted that shows that the deadly virus doesn't live as long in warmer and more humid temperatures.
"The virus dies quickest in sunlight," William N. Bryan, the acting undersecretary for the science office in the Department of Homeland Security said.
The remark seemed to leave Trump to wonder whether you could bring the light "inside the body.”
"So, supposing we hit the body with a tremendous — whether it's ultraviolet or just a very powerful light — and I think you said that hasn't been checked because of the testing," Trump wondered out loud. "And then I said, supposing you brought the light inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or some other way, and I think you said you're going to test that, too."
The president added: "I see the disinfectant that knocks it out in a minute, one minute. And is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning? As you see, it gets in the lungs, it does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it would be interesting to check that."
“There’s no circumstance under which you should take a disinfectant or inject a disinfectant for the treatment of anything and certainly not for the treatment of coronavirus,” a former FDA commissioner said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “There’s absolutely no circumstance under which that’s appropriate and it can cause death and very adverse outcomes.”
While the president did not name Lysol, a leading manufacturer of disinfectant products, a Lysol spokesperson said “under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body (through injection, ingestion or any other route).”
"As with all products, our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines. Please read the label and safety information," the statement continued, adding that the company believes it has a "responsibility in providing consumers with access to accurate, up-to-date information as advised by leading public health experts."
Used with permission
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there already has been an increase of calls into poison centers this year versus last year related to cleaners and disinfectants. Poison centers report 45,500 exposure to cleaners and disinfectants calls—a 20.4 percent increase for the first quarter of this year.
The CDC advises that consumers read and follow directions on the label on all cleaners and disinfectants, avoid mixing chemical products, wear eye and skin protection, ensure adequate ventilation and store chemicals out of the reach of children.
More Stories Like This
Q+A: Journalist Connie Walker Reflects on Season 3 of 'Stolen' Podcast Investigating Navajo Nation MMIP CasesNative Bidaské with Sarah Eagle Heart (Oglála Lakota) on the Indigenous Fashion Collective
Twelve Cherokee Nation Cyclists, 950 Miles: The 40th Annual Remember the Removal Bike Ride
Leona Carlyle-Kakar (Ak-Chin), Instrumental in Securing the 1st Water Rights Settlement in Indian Country, Walks On
California Moves Forward with Pilot MMIP Program
Native Perspective. Native Voices. Native News.
We launched Native News Online because the mainstream media often overlooks news that is important is Native people. We believe that everyone in Indian Country deserves equal access to news and commentary pertaining to them, their relatives and their communities. That's why the story you’ve just finished was free — and we want to keep it that way, for all readers. We hope you'll consider making a donation to support our efforts so that we can continue publishing more stories that make a difference to Native people, whether they live on or off the reservation. Your donation will help us keep producing quality journalism and elevating Indigenous voices. Any contribution of any amount — big or small — gives us a better, stronger future and allows us to remain a force for change. Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous-centered journalism. Thank you.
