Regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic, the presidential election year is in full swing. Voters have casted ballots and candidates have campaigned tirelessly. But an unprecedented twist recently came to light: President Trump tested positive for COVID-19.
Trump announced via Twitter on Oct. 1, that he and the First Lady (FLOTUS) contracted COVID-19. Trump is especially vulnerable to COVID-19. He is classified as obese and elderly, placing him into the high-risk bracket of COVID-19 patients.
This causes certain concerns and hypotheticals to arise, one of which being what it would mean for the country if he passed away from the virus.
Trevor Zahn, an American Government teacher at PVHS, explained who would assume the roles of the Republican nominees. “The ticket would presumably run with Pence being promoted and him naming a running mate. There would likely be a court ruling or two to resolve what would happen leading into it, but as vice-president between November 8th and January 20th, he would assume presidency,” Zahn said.
Zahn described how states would adjust voting procedures. “As the article states, there would be some questions of how states would approach this situation when they cast their electoral votes for the electoral college. If they win the election and the electoral votes were cast already and something were to happen after that point, they would follow the guidelines of the 25th amendment,” he elucidated.
Some are concerned by the White House’s level of transparency regarding the president’s condition.“I don’t know when he first tested positive, but he announced it on Friday at 1 A.M. I don’t know when was the last time he tested negative, and the White House has given no information on that. It’s either they don’t know or they don’t want us to know,” Senior Sid Sharma stated.
Others, however, believe that the White House has done a sufficient job at informing the public.
19-year-old Republican Olivia Schilling’s opinions differed from Sharma’s. “I think they were forthcoming, at least I hope they were. I don’t think if he were in critical condition they would have let him out of the care of doctors, because he is the President and with that comes the best care,” she said.
Election years are already chaotic in nature, but the United States’ 2020 presidential election poses unprecedented challenges. The president’s passing and a lack of transparency from the White House could potentially add other chaotic elements to the mix.
