In recent COVID-19 press conferences, President Trump credited the drug hydroxychloroquine for helping to win the fight against the coronavirus.
“I thank God the president of the United States mentioned that drug because it did save me,” said State Representative Karen Whitsett (D).
Whitsett said she began feeling symptoms in mid-March. She later tested positive for the virus, not too long after fellow lawmaker Isaac Robinson fell victim and passed away.
She stands by that if President Trump had not brought up hydroxychloroquine in his daily press briefings, her doctor may have not prescribed it, and her health may have not improved.
“Let’s just put politics aside and be human beings, I give credit where credit is due.”
Monday, Trump dedicated a tweet to Whitsett saying,
“Congratulations to State Representative Karen Whitsett of Michigan. So glad you are getting better.”
The Michigan Chronicle previously reported the drug, hydroxychloroquine, has only been rumored as a possible coronavirus treatment and has not been medically proven to be effective. Henry Ford Health Systems recently announced it is seeking volunteers to be apart of the nation’s first large scale study testing the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19.
Whitsett says after days of feeling awful, she began to notice significant relief almost immediately after she began receiving hydroxychloroquine treatments. Although she believes she has weeks before she returns to 100 percent, she is optimistic the worst effects of the virus are behind her.
The FDA approved the drug for emergency use, but with growing speculation of it being a possible cure, last week the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs issued a letter for prescribing doctors citing “multiple allegations of Michigan physicians inappropriately prescribing hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine to themselves, family, friends, and/or coworkers without a legitimate medical purpose.”
The letter also put pharmacies on notice.
“These are drugs that have not been proven scientifically or medically to treat COVID-19…a pharmacist shall not fill a prescription if the
pharmacist believes the prescription will be used for other than legitimate medical purposes.”
Still, Whitsett believes President Trump bringing of the possibility of hydroxychloroquine played a larged part in saving her life.
After experiencing the effects of the virus firsthand, Whitsett, who was a Detroit community organizer previously, wants to see her city take social distancing more seriously.
She says, “”I see it in my own community — not being quarantined and still having house parties.”
Whitsett is also grateful for President Trump’s rapport with Mayor Duggan.
“I thank God for the relationship the president of the United States has with Mayor Duggan and that we have a mayor who has so many years of experience because if we didn’t I don’t know where we’d be right now.”
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