President Trump Has Coronavirus

That news coming overnight in a Tweet, after a top advisor, Hope Hicks tested positive earlier in the day, and exhibited symptoms, according to multiple reports

First Lady Melania Trump tested positive too, according to the President. According to the New York Times, the President’s physician says Trump is currently doing “well”. But did not say if he is or isn’t showing any symptoms.

Most early news reports focused on the sequence of events leading up to the postive test result. Some dove into the political implications: both for governing, and continuing the campaign, whether the President’s symptoms are mild or he’s even symptom-free and simply quarantines for a time (a few pointing out he’ll still have Twitter), or his health situation becomes more severe. A few others discussed the possible impact on financial markets.

We realize this is a development for which people will have a wide range of visceral and emotional reactions. And theories. And while any kind of political assessment is premature, if not inappropriate at this time, given where we are in the campaign, it can’t be ignored.

Which is where The New York Times’ Peter Baker and Maggie Haberman seem to be coming from when they write: