President Joe Biden has been working despite receiving a COVID diagnosis, but some people are worried about his voice.
The president is now sequestered at the White House, but he did virtually attend a meeting on gas pricing on Friday, where his persistent coughing attracted notice.
The New York Post noted that a bag of cough drops was also noticeable close to the president.
“Let me start by apologizing — my voice. I’m feeling much better than I sound,” he stated to begin his remarks.
“You know, we’re meeting today on gas prices, and we have some really good news: Gas prices are coming down.
“In fact, gas prices have fallen every day this summer for 38 days in a row. Now, you know, you can — you can find gas for $3.99 or less in more than 30,000 gas stations in more than 35 states. In some cities, it’s down almost a dollar from last month. We’ve been working really hard to bring the price down,” he remarked.
The president experienced what The Post described as a “phlegmy cough” at roughly the 4:45 point in the video as White House economist Cecilia Rouse was speaking.
President Joe Biden had a slightly high temperature on Thursday night, but “his symptoms have improved,” the White House physician reported on Friday morning.
Biden’s fever was 99.4 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday night, according to Dr. Kevin O’Connor, but it has since returned to normal after he took Tylenol.
Biden still has a “runny nose and weariness,” according to O’Connor, in addition to a “loose” and “sometimes non-productive” cough.
The President is taking the treatment well, according to O’Connor. Oral rehydration, Tylenol, and an albuterol inhaler as needed are being used to manage his symptoms.
The president’s doctor continued, “There has been nothing in the course of his illness so far that gives me reason to change that initial expectation.
On Thursday morning, Biden’s first COVID-19 test result was positive.
President Biden completed his first full day of Paxlovid and his symptoms have improved. A letter from Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Physician to the President, on these updates: pic.twitter.com/DWzA1iOiNs
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 22, 2022
New: White House physician says President Biden's: "pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation remain entirely normal, on room air"
— Mark Meredith (@markpmeredith) July 22, 2022
With the midterm elections in November just a few months away, some leading Democrats have expressed anxiety over Biden’s diagnosis.
One Democratic strategist reportedly observed, “There is a political concern here,” according to AOL. “Obviously, there’s the elephant in the room about how well he recovers. Does he have a pretty mild case, or does he have complications?”
More on this story via Conservative Brief:
Other Democrats worry Biden may have lingering effects from the virus that could last weeks or months — fueling concerns from many that the president is too old to be in office.
“There’s also some concern of making sure a 79-year-old president doesn’t look frail or doesn’t seem unhealthy,” the strategist said.
“People are more annoyed than worried” about his health, the person close to the White House said.