Donald Trump has been criticised for leaving hospital to greet fans after testing positive for coronavirus recently.
The US President left Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland on Sunday (4 October), where he is currently being treated for the deadly disease, to go and wave to the crowds of people waiting outside.
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Footage showed the 74-year-old being driven in the back of a black SUV and waving at people, many of whom were carrying Trump 2020 banner and MAGA signs.
However, Dr James Phillips, chief of disaster medicine at George Washington University and a physician at Walter Reed Medical, blasted the president for his actions, branding it 'insanity'.
Writing on Twitter, he said: "That presidential SUV is not only bulletproof, but hermetically sealed against chemical attack. The risk of Covid-19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures. The irresponsibility is astounding. My thoughts are with the Secret Service forced to play.
"Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary presidential 'drive-by' just now has to be quarantined for 14 days. They might get sick. They may die. For political theater. Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater. This is insanity."
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Others have also criticised Trump for leaving the hospital.
Jonathan Reiner, professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University, also took to social media to share his anger with the country's leader.
He put: "By taking a joy ride outside Walter Reed the president is placing his Secret Service detail at grave risk.
"In the hospital when we go into close contact with a Covid patient we dress in full PPE: Gown, gloves, N95, eye protection, hat. This is the height of irresponsibility.
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"His doctors should have said no. They need to stand up for what is right. This is wrong."
White House spokesman Judd Deere hit back at critics, however, stating the brief trip had been 'cleared by the medical team as safe to do'.
He said: "President Trump took a short, last-minute motorcade ride to wave to his supporters outside and has now returned to the Presidential Suite inside Walter Reed."
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The controversial stunt came hours after the president released a video message from hospital, reassuring people that he and wife Melania were 'doing well' after testing positive for Covid-19.
He said: "I came here, wasn't feeling so well, I feel much better now. We're working hard to get me all the way back.
"Over the next period of a few days, I guess that's the real test.
"We'll be seeing what happens over those next couple of days."
Featured Image Credit: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesTopics: Science, US News, Politics, Health, Covid-19