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President Joe Biden Has Horrible Cough In New Video After Diagnosis

Photo of Carmine Sabia Carmine SabiaJuly 23, 2022
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OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.

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President Joe Biden has continued to work after being diagnosed with COVID but the way he is sounding is cause for concern to some.

The president is currently in isolation at the White House but did appear virtually on Friday for a meeting on gas prices where his incessant coughing caught people’s attention.

There was also a bag of cough drops visible next to the president, The New York Post reported.

“Let me start by apologizing — my voice.  I’m feeling much better than I sound,” he said to start his speech.

“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 said.

At around the 4:45 mark in the video the president had, what The Post called a “phlegmy cough,” as White House economist Cecilia Rouse was speaking.

The White House physician announced on Friday morning that President Joe Biden had a slightly elevated temperature on Thursday night but that “his symptoms have improved.”

Dr. Kevin O’Connor said Biden had a temperature of 99.4 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday evening, which has since returned to normal since he received Tylenol.

O’Connor said Biden still has a “runny nose and fatigue” as well as a “loose” and “occasional non-productive” cough.

O’Connor writes, “The President is tolerating treatment well. His symptoms are being treated with oral hydration, Tylenol, and an Albuterol inhaler as needed.”

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“There has been nothing in the course of his illness thus far which give me cause to alter that initial expectation,” the president’s physician added.

Biden first tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday morning.

Biden’s diagnosis has also concerned some top Democrats with November’s midterms just a few months out.

​​“There is a political concern here,” said one Democratic strategist, 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?”

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.

“What happens in the next week will be important,” another Democrat said. “He needs to get outside moving around.”

After Biden was diagnosed with COVID, social media users responded with speculation that the United States could be on the precipice of Vice President Kamala Harris becoming president.

“President Harris would somehow be worse than President Biden. Scary times we’re living in,” Brigitte Gabriel said.

“A 79 year old man with covid and possibly cancer is the only thing that separates us from a President Harris,” Harrison Krank said.

“Reports are that Joe Biden has COVID. Wishing him a quick recovery. The United States cannot handle one single day with President Harris in office,” Nick Adams said.

“Get ready, America,” Jack Posobiec said with a photo of Harris.

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“This #COVID19 diagnosis means we will have a new #President by next week. CONGRATS to the soon to be #PresidentHarris,” another person said.

“I’m curious to see how this President Harris thing will go down,” Matthew Kolken said.

“Biden tested positive for Covid. And you think *he* was a terrible president? Better hope we don’t have President Harris in a few weeks…,” another said.

“A vaxxed, triple boosted dementia patient who still managed to get Covid and can’t remember whether or not he has cancer is the only thing separating the innocent American public from a President Harris, who may soon have her finger on the nuclear switch. God help us all,” Breck Worsham said.

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“President Harris is inevitable at this point. Biden said he had cancer yesterday, today he has Covid. He fell off a bike 2 weeks ago. It feels like he’s a character in Final Destination,” Ross Patterson said.

President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with COVID and his first lady Jill Biden has given an update on his condition.

“I talked to him just a few minutes ago. He’s doing fine, he’s feeling good,” the first lady said of her husband.

The first lady tested negative for COVID after the president tested positive.

“This morning, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms.  He has begun taking Paxlovid. Consistent with CDC guidelines, he will isolate at the White House and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.  He has been in contact with members of the White House staff by phone this morning, and will participate in his planned meetings at the White House this morning via phone and Zoom from the residence.”

“Consistent with White House protocol for positive COVID cases, which goes above and beyond CDC guidance, he will continue to work in isolation until he tests negative,” she said. “Once he tests negative, he will return to in-person work.”

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Photo of Carmine Sabia Carmine SabiaJuly 23, 2022