Kathy Griffin says she has “unbearably painful” symptoms and has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of lying about how many coronavirus tests the United States has performed.
She replied to a tweet from Trump boasting about a large number of Americans being tested for COVID-19.
“Just reported that the United States has done far more ‘testing’ than any other nation, by far,” Trump tweeted Wednesday. “In fact, over an eight day span, the United States now does more testing than what South Korea (which has been a very successful tester) does over an eight week span. Great job!”
“He’s lying,” Griffin tweeted alongside photos of herself in the hospital. “I was sent to the #COVID19 isolation ward room in a major hospital ER from a separate urgent care facility after showing UNBEARABLY PAINFUL symptoms.
“The hospital couldn’t test me for #coronavirus because of CDC (Pence task force) restrictions #TESTTESTTEST.”
According to CNN, the U.S. has conducted more tests overall than South Korea, but it has conducted far fewer per capita.
If diagnosed, Griffin will join a long list of celebrities who have revealed they’ve tested positive for the new coronavirus, including Idris Elba, Tom Hanks and Andy Cohen.
Griffin and Trump have previously feuded following the outrage over her Trump “beheading” photo — which ultimately lost her work, including her annual New Year’s Eve co-hosting gig on CNN.
Due to the photograph, the My Life on the D-List star lost income, received death threats, was denounced by Trump, landed on an Interpol criminal list and was afraid to leave home. She also said she was under investigation by the Department of Justice for two months.
“It shouldn’t happen to an American citizen,” she told the Associated Press in April 2018. Griffin said she understands if people don’t like the photo but that it is protected speech. “If there’s one amendment I’m familiar with, it’s the First Amendment. I know it back and forth and it’s how I make my living.”
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.
Comments