Oct. 6--ASHEBORO -- Following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis on Friday, President Donald Trump was taken to Walter Reed Hospital for precautionary measures with a fever as little-bylittle, more and more members of his staff and inner circle were found positive for the virus.

That morning, news quickly spread confirming the positive diagnosis of President Trump as well as First Lady Melania for the novel coronavirus. That was right on the heels of the announcement in which his aide Hope Hicks had tested positive for the disease. As the hours and then days moved along, more and more were found positive for COVID-19 and have gone into isolation -- some without any symptoms. That has also come to include North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis.

This contradicts some of the president’s positions regarding the virus and the pandemic as well as his administration’s efforts to downplay it. He has spoken of how much of it was done in an effort to prevent panic and to keep a teetering economy continuing its recovery efforts after a long spring and summer of shutdowns and varying guidelines across the county to slow or prevent its spread.

Questions put to readers on social media from the predominant Republican voter base in Randolph County asked if any of the recent news from DC would make any change in their perceptions. The Courier-Tribune asked if it changed their perceptions of the disease, what -- if any -- changes in their understanding did it make, or did it even change anything at all?

The pubic, much like many are already postulating heading into the Nov. 3 election, seem to have already made up their minds regardless of the situation in DC or elsewhere.

“They got tested daily, right? Gee what kind of virus do they have?” said Valinda Norton. “So the debate will now be televised from the White House? Sound good to me. Hasn’t changed my mind at all about all viruses.”

Terry Locke from Asheboro says it is just another piece of the liberal hype train.

“Doesn’t change a single thing,” he posted. “At some point, he was exposed to a virus. He’ll now go through the overreactive protocol and masked leftist idiots will dance around their tribal bonfire and celebrate, while claiming moral superiority.

“Business as usual. Next question.”

Others, be it from a more centrist position or the other side of the aisle, feel that it is still serious and not to be overlooked. But even those are fairly firm in their position and beliefs when it comes to COVID, its impact and its threat to them, people in general, or how they chose to conduct their lives during the pandemic.

“Doesn’t change anything for me. I rely on science to understand the pandemic. Viruses replicate and spread. That’s what they do best,” posted Climax resident Karen Katula. “It’s simple, everyone should wear a mask and social distance. Had this been a national policy, the virus spread could have been much reduced by now.”

“It does not change anything for me,” said Zach Lamb. “I have always said it is a serious virus but even if I get it there is a 99.4% survival.

“If you are going to be in close contact with people wear a mask. However know the mask don’t protect you for getting it its only protecting people from you. So washing your hands is crucial and don’t get close to people if you can help it.”

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEanany tested positive on Monday, making it now 11 people in circles closest to the president who have tested positive for the virus. She stated that she had tested negative in the days following the president’s announcement. Two others in her staff have since tested positive for COVID-19 -- Karoline Leavitt and Chad Gilmartin.

Among the others joining the first family, Tillis and McEanany are Hicks, Senators Gary Lee (R-UT) and Ron Johnson (R-WIS), Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel, the president’s personal aide Nick Luna, former counselor KellyAnne Conway, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie and Notre Dame president Rev. John Jenkins.