It looks like we’ve hit a new low, because people are no longer dying from coronavirus, but they’re also dying from dodgy coronavirus cures – courtesy of the president of the United States, Donald Trump.
This week, it was reported that an Arizona man had died and his wife was left in a critical condition after they both took chloroquine phosphate, a drug Trump touted as a potential treatment for COVID-19.
Banner Health stated that chloroquine phosphate is “an additive commonly used at aquariums to clean fish tanks,” and that within just 30 minutes, the couple – both in their 60s – experienced immediate effects and were taken to hospital.
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According to The Intercept, the couple found the drug amongst their pet supplies and mistakenly believed it was the same as the anti-malaria drug prescribed to humans.
Speaking about chloroquine phosphate during a press conference a week prior, Trump said, “It’s been around for a long time, so we know if things don’t go as planned it’s not going to kill anybody.”
“It’s shown very, very encouraging early results, and we’re going to be able to make that drug available almost immediately.”
What’s even more worrying is a report from Storyful, that shows the sales of a version of chloroquine phosphate skyrocketing in recent weeks. The social media news agency also found that jars of the drug have gone from costing $10 on eBay to over $500.
The female victim, who is currently in critical care, told NBC News reporter Vaughn Hillyard, “Trump kept saying it was basically pretty much a cure.”
When Hillyard asked her what her message would be to the American public, she said, “Don’t take anything. Don’t believe anything. Don’t believe anything that the President says and his people…call your doctor.”
You can also listen to Hilary Clinton’s sage advice: “Please do not take medical advice from a man who looked directly at a solar eclipse.”
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