Trump takes mask off on return to White House while still infectious

US President Donald Trump could face backlash on Tuesday for removing his face mask on his return to the White House as he urged citizens not to fear Covid-19.

Trump returned to the White House late on Monday after being discharged from hospital where he was being treated for coronavirus.

After leaving the Walter Reed Medical Center, he removed his face covering and said in a video: “Don’t let it dominate you. Don’t be afraid of it.”

“I stood out front. I led. Nobody that’s a leader would not do what I did. And I know there’s a risk, there’s a danger. But that’s OK. And now I’m better. And maybe I’m immune, I don’t know,” he added.

The President, who has repeatedly downplayed the risks from the pandemic that has killed over 210,000 people in the US, was admitted to hospital on Friday after being diagnosed with the disease.

His health was the subject of speculation over the weekend as it was not unlikely that a man of his age could suffer complications from the virus.

Trump’s arrival back at the White House raised new questions about how the administration was going to protect other officials from a disease that remains rampant in the president’s body. Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced she had tested positive for the virus Monday morning and was entering quarantine.

Trump has been criticised by experts for warning against wearing masks and by the opposition.

Democrat rival for the November presidential elections, Joe Biden quickly hit back on Twitter with side-by-side images of himself donning a mask and Trump removing his. A caption said, “Masks Matter. They save lives.”