Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Former President Obama Tests Positive For Covid
The Hill: Barack Obama Tests Positive For COVID-19
Former President Obama shared on Sunday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing some symptoms for "a couple days." "I just tested positive for COVID. I’ve had a scratchy throat for a couple days, but am feeling fine otherwise. Michelle and I are grateful to be vaccinated and boosted, and she has tested negative," Obama tweeted. "It’s a reminder to get vaccinated if you haven’t already, even as cases go down." (Choi, 3/13)
CNN: Barack Obama Tests Positive For Covid
Obama, 60, had recently returned to Washington, DC, after spending much of the winter in Hawaii. He tested positive in DC, a person close to him said. The diagnosis makes Obama the second US President known to contract the virus after then-President Donald Trump announced he tested positive in October 2020, which was before vaccines were widely available in the US. (Saenz, 3/13)
The Wall Street Journal: Barack Obama Tests Positive For Covid-19
Mr. Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama were part of an ad campaign last year urging Americans to get vaccinated, along with former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. “This vaccine means hope,” Mr. Obama said in one of the ads. “It will protect you and those you love from this dangerous and deadly disease.” Former President Donald Trump wasn’t part of the ad campaign, though he has urged supporters to get vaccinated. Mr. Trump tested positive for Covid weeks before the 2020 presidential election and was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. (Jamerson, 3/13)
