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Nancy Pelosi has said that Donald Trump’s decision to take the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to prevent Covid-19 was “not a good idea”.
Mr. Trump surprised commentators on Monday with the news that he was taking hydroxychloroquine pills in an attempt to prevent infection.
That comes despite the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) warning against the use of hydroxychloroquine outside hospitals or research settings due to the risk of heart rhythm problems.
Ms. Pelosi, the Democratic House Speaker, shared her concerns about Mr. Trump’s actions during an interview with CNN host Anderson Cooper.
“He’s our president, and I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists,” said Ms. Pelosi.
She continued: “Especially in his age group and in his, shall we say, weight group… morbidly obese, they say”.
Meanwhile in the UK, Downing Street said its medical advice was not to take hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19
Asked about Mr. Trump’s comments, prime minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said: “It’s not something our own medical experts are recommending. I can only set out our own medical advice and it’s not something that we recommend doing.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with “severe” obesity have a have Body Mass Index above 40, and those considered obese have a BMI above 30.
Mr. Trump was found to have a BMI of 30.4 during his last health checkup in February 2019.
Whilst downplaying the dangers of hydroxychloroquine on Monday, the president said: “a lot of good things have come out about the hydroxy.”
“You’d be surprised at how many people are taking it, especially the front line workers before you catch it,” he continued. “And if it’s not good I’ll tell you, right? Not going to get hurt by it.”
Still, doctors and health experts have said that the drug’s effectiveness against Covid-19 is unproven.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters said that Mr. Trump’s comments were “unhinged”.
“Don’t do as Trump does or suggests. Any disinfectant, like bleach or Lysol, & ultraviolet light are not remedies,” the Californian Democrat continued. “His unhinged notions could cause your death. He’d just say you sacrificed your life for the economy!”
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer added that the president had been “reckless”, during an interview with MSNBC.
“Maybe he’s really not taking it because the president lies about things characteristically,” said Mr. Schumer. ”Every expert who has looked at it says it doesn’t help you against COVID. So he’s giving people false hope.”
