The novel coronavirus is highly contagious.
In only two months, it's tripled the number of Ebola cases documented during its three year outbreak. The virus has currently spread through 14 states, as well as abroad in China, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.
One mother and her son, a student from Sarasota Military Academy, are currently under quarantine. Though they've shown no symptoms, officials quarantined them after they came into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus.
A slightly troubling fact? Vice President Mike Pence, the Trump-appointed response leader against the virus, was shaking hands with the quarantined student's peers on Friday.
Bloomberg Senior White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs, inquired about the chance that Pence could have been infected, but his team declined to comment, instead pointing out that Pence is careful to wash his hands.
Pence's communications staff declined to comment on whether he was aware he'd been in contact with those in proximi… https://t.co/Bmuqe6laWK— Jennifer Jacobs (@Jennifer Jacobs) 1583242280.0
A recent video from Pence's appointment as response director against coronavirus showed him wiping his nose before using it to shake hands, which didn't boost morale.
This is great. Newly appointed #TrumpVirus Czar Pence wipes nose with hand, then shakes w/HHS Chief Azar. https://t.co/nFe2893nUE— Dan Walter (@Dan Walter) 1582819323.0
People remembered the video upon hearing this news.
yeah, this fastidious handwasher should be fine. https://t.co/r013l3Bi26 https://t.co/UPauKCOyjY— Jay ✊ (@Jay ✊) 1583246801.0
@JenniferJJacobs @MalcolmNance I watched him wipe his nose then shake people's hands— Tim (@Tim) 1583243077.0
@JenniferJJacobs Hand washing? The man rubbed his nose and mouth before shaking hands with the health officials pre… https://t.co/lvIcFCjc3c— Color Fiend (@Color Fiend) 1583242717.0
@JenniferJJacobs @MalcolmNance In one of the early briefings on corona virus, Pence can be seen wiping his drippy n… https://t.co/CsyRNQz5Yx— Ellen W (@Ellen W) 1583243275.0
@JenniferJJacobs @MalcolmNance Didn’t he just swipe his nose and shake people’s hands the other day? Please with this.— HRCSuperVol1 (@HRCSuperVol1) 1583243205.0
The jokes soon came rolling in.
"Pence is fastidious about handwashing." Yeah, well, they're dirty as hell from his work with this "administration"… https://t.co/58FNGHV4WX— Steve Marmel (@Steve Marmel) 1583247742.0
@JenniferJJacobs @MalcolmNance I can just imagine Pence “I caught the coronavirous, but I prayed it away and now I’m fully cured” 🙄🙄— Tidysome (@Tidysome) 1583243177.0
@JenniferJJacobs @Olivianuzzi Obviously he should be tested. Let's hope he's not blinded by science!— jmg (@jmg) 1583248944.0
While the Vice President will likely be fine, the virus continues to spread. Take the advice of Pence's staff and be "fastidious about handwashing." It really does help.