By Khalem Caldwell

If someone told you to jump off a bridge, would you do it? Most people would respond to the outlandish comment with a blank look on their face, as they try to contemplate why a person would ask such an idiotic question, with a rhetorical answer. Now, if someone told you to indirectly consume disinfectants such as Lysol to fight off COVID-19, then you would answer with a definite, YES!

On April 23, President Donald J. Trump, and the White House coronavirus task force, held a briefing at the White House to discuss updates on COVID-19, and to give further information on what the government plans to do moving forward. 

Before President Trump addressed Americans, Bill Bryan from the Department of Homeland security spoke and displayed a presentation on how to fight COVID-19. 

Bryan presented factual evidence supporting his claims that heat and humidity suppress COVID-19. He suggested that activities be moved outside, because sunlight impedes virus transmission. He also told Americans to use commonly available disinfectants such as: bleach, lysol, and isopropyl alcohol, which all work to kill the virus. 

“Mr. President, while there are many unknown links in the COVID-19 transmission chain,” Bryan said while addressing the President. “We believe these trends can support practical decision making to lower the risks associated with the virus.” 

Bryan finished up his presentation by stating, “We are also looking at other disinfectants, specifically looking at the COVID-19 virus in saliva.”

After Bryan finished, the president proceeded to the podium, not knowing what he was about to say next could cause social media backlash, and a nationwide outrage.

President Trump responded to Bryan’s presentation by recommending that injecting oneself with disinfectants could serve as treatment to the virus.

“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?” Trump said. “Because you see it gets in the lungs, and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it would be interesting to check that. So you’re going to have to use medical doctors with — but it sounds interesting to me.”

Political figures, journalists, celebrities, and American citizens took to social media to publicly criticize the president on his comments. 

Award-winning multimedia journalist, David Leavitt, uploaded the video of Trump’s comments on twitter, and posted “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?” 

Leavitt is an avid nonsupporter of Trump, and has been blocked by @realDonaldTrump, Donald Trump’s official twitter account. However, he isn’t the only one who agrees that Trump’s comments are off setting.

The disinfectant brand Lysol quickly released a statement stating, “under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body” completely rejecting the president’s comments.

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI), which represents producers of household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products, also released a similar statement to Lysol’s.

“Disinfectants are meant to kill germs or viruses on hard surfaces. Under no circumstances should they ever be used on one’s skin, ingested or injected internally,” the ACI posted. “We remind everyone to please use all hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting products as directed in order to ensure safe, effective and intended use of those products.”

The president now actively defends his comments, telling the media his comments were a form of sarcasm.

“I was asking a sarcastic — and a very sarcastic question to the reporters in the room about disinfectant on the inside.” Trump said. “That was done in the form of a sarcastic question to the reporters.”

Whether President Trump’s comments were jokingly, or not, comments like that should be made apparently clear, especially coming from a higher official.

Hopefully, many Americans gave a blank look to their devices, and contemplated why the president of the United States would give such an outlandish remark.

Furthermore, for American citizens who attempted the erroneous act, we should question our education system, and our common sense as a nation.