On Thursday, President Donald Trump suggested injecting household disinfectants for treating COVID-19, the infection caused by the new coronavirus.
Trump’s extremely dangerous proposition has baffled doctors. They warned that disinfectants could kill people.
The president remarked on the efficacy of disinfectants like bleach after a Homeland Security official mentioned the disinfectants can kill the coronavirus on surfaces.
During his daily briefing at the White House, Trump said, “And then I see the disinfectant where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning?”
“Because, you see, it gets on the lungs, and it does a tremendous number on the lungs,” he continued, “So it’d be interesting to check that. So that you’re going to have to use medical doctors, but it sounds — it sounds interesting to me.”
Doctors across the nation reacted with horror and said disinfectants like bleach are poisonous and dangerous when mishandled.
Global Health Policy expert and pulmonologist Dr. Vin Gupta said, “This notion of injecting or ingesting any type of cleansing product into the body is irresponsible, and it’s dangerous.”
Dr. Gupta, who is an NBC News and MSNBC contributor, added, “It’s a common method that people utilize when they want to kill themselves.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has specifically warned against drinking disinfectants, a pseudoscience that has been believed to cure autism and HIV infection for decades. The agency notes that the consumption of such products “can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and symptoms of severe dehydration.”
“Any amount of bleach or isopropyl alcohol or any kind of common household cleaner is inappropriate for ingestion even in small amounts. Small amounts are deadly,” Dr. Gupta said.
Some doctors took to social media to react to Trump’s dangerous suggestion.
Dr. Kashif Mahmood, Internal Medicine Chief Resident — Florida Gator, tweeted, “As a physician, I can’t recommend injecting disinfectant into the lungs or using UV radiation inside the body to treat COVID-19. Don’t take medical advice from Trump.”
Dr. Gupta expressed concern over the president’s statement, stating it was “demoralizing” for a doctor to hear the White House “peddle improper health messaging.” He said Trump had a pattern of pushing unproven medical treatments.
“It’s exceptionally dangerous,” Dr. Gupta said. “There’s people who hang on to every word of the president.”
Previously, Trump also suggested that light and heat, which can destroy the coronavirus on surfaces, could be used as a cure to the disease.
At the time, Trump said, “Maybe you can. Maybe you can’t. I’m not a doctor. I’m, like, a person who has a good you-know-what.”
The White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, Dr. Deborah Birx, said she had not seen heat and light used as a treatment.
Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president in the 2020 election, criticized Trump for his suggestions on Twitter. Biden tweeted, “UV light? Injecting disinfectant? Here’s an idea, Mr. President: more tests. Now. And protective equipment for actual medical professionals.”
