White House Says It Will Conduct Temperature Checks On Those Close To Trump, Pence — Reporter Turned Away

The White House on Saturday began taking the temperature of people “in close contact” with President Trump or Vice President Pence, including reporters who are attending a briefing on the coronavirus.

“Out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the President and Vice President,” Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said in a statement.

“Around 11:30 am a man in a suit with a no contact thermometer came through the White House press briefing room and workspaces, taking the temperature of reporters in the building,” said a “pool report” — notes from a reporter to other members of the press corps.

“Judd Deere told reporters that the man was part of the White House physician’s office. His name was not immediately available.”

A Fox News anchor also read part of a TC pool report, saying a reporter was turned away for having a high temperature.

“A member of the press was turned away from the briefing because his temperature was too high. Several photographers and reporters, your pooler included, saw him turned away outside the briefing room doors. The same man from the physician’s office was taking his temperature. The member of the press wouldn’t share his name or outlet. He was led away by a wrangler and the man from the physician’s office.”

Said the first pool report: “Per several video and photojournalists who were present at the time, a member of the media who had his temperature taken as he was about to enter the White House press briefing room was turned away. He had a temperature above 99.0 — they are unsure of the exact number.”

The new, stricter protocols came after White House physician Dr. Sean Conley said in a memo released late Friday that Trump will not be tested for coronavirus, nor will he self-quarantine.

Questions arose after Trump and other White House staffers had interactions with at least three infected people from a Brazilian official delegation last weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, and the president said he would “most likely” get tested.

But Dr. Conley said there’s no need for a test or a quarantine.

“The President’s exposure to the first individual was extremely limited (photograph, handshake), and though he spent more time in closer proximity to the second case, all interactions occurred before any symptom onset,” the doctor wrote in a note released by the White House.

“These interactions would be categorized as LOW risk for transmission per CDC guidelines, and as such, there is no indication for home quarantine at this time,” Dr. Conley added. “Additionally, given the President himself remains without symptoms, testing for COVID-19 is not currently indicated. I will closely monitor and care for the President, and will update you as more information becomes available.”

In a White House press conference on Friday, Trump was asked by CBS News reporter Weijia Jiang if he was being “selfish” by not being tested.

The president said people “should listen to their doctors. They shouldn’t be jumping to get the test unless it’s necessary, but I think they have to listen to their doctors.”

The reporter followed, saying: “But doctors are saying you might have it even if you don’t show symptoms. Are you being selfish by not getting tested?”

“I didn’t say I was not going to be tested,” Trump said.

“Are you going to be?” Jiang asked.

“Most likely. Not for that reason but I think I will anyway, fairly soon, we’re working out a schedule,” the president replied.

Earlier Friday, news broke that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro tested positive for coronavirus. Bolsonaro visited Mar-a-Lago last weekend and met with Trump and his administration and family, and also had dinner together. He later tweeted out that his second test came back negative.