President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of an “injection” of disinfectant in a person infected with the coronavirus during his daily briefing on Thursday.
Trump made the observation after Bill Bryan, who heads the Department of Homeland Security’s science and technology division, gave a presentation on research by his team that shows the virus doesn’t live that long in warmer, more humid temperatures . Bryan said at the time that “the virus dies more quickly in sunlight”, leaving Trump to imagine that it might be possible to bring light “into the body”.
“So, supposing we hit the body with tremendous light intensity – whether ultraviolet or just very powerful light – and that hasn’t been tested yet,” Trump began by saying, who then added: “I see the disinfectant dropping [ the virus] in a minute. A minute. Is there any way to do something like inject disinfectant into a person? It would be interesting to check that out. “
Trump did not specify the type of disinfectant to be used.
Medical professionals, including Dr. Vin Gupta, a pulmonologist, specialist in global health policy and a contributor to NBC News and MSNBC. were quick to challenge the US president’s “inadequate health messages”. “This notion of injecting or ingesting any type of cleanser into the body is irresponsible and is dangerous,” said Gupta. “It is a common method that people use when they want to kill themselves”.
The US President has repeatedly released unproven treatments during daily briefings on Covid-19, the disease associated with SARS-CoV-2, such as the continued praise for hydroxychloroquine, but health officials have shown themselves strongly against it.
