On June 5, 2020, Trump toured a production facility for medical swabs in Maine amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump and his entourage wore no mask or protective covering. The workers present wore extensive personal protection equipment, including lab coats, masks, gloves, goggles, hair coverings and plastic booties.
The company, Puritan Medical Products, said it would discard the swabs that were being manufactured at the time of Trump’s visit. The company’s press release clarified that a limited production was run for the visit, and that it was always intended that what was produced that day would be discarded.
At that time, nasal swabs for specimens were in low supply, and a third of Maine nursing homes reported having none. Sarah Gideon, Democratic candidate for US Senate, criticized any disruption of production for critical medical supplies.
On the day of Trump’s visit, the United States totaled 1,967,359 cases and had suffered 113,798 deaths.
Trump had drawn criticism for visiting medical production facilities in May without a mask. During one he said he wanted to avoid giving the press “the pleasure,” while “Life and Let Die” played over loudspeakers during the other.
USA Today – As Trump touts increased production, coronavirus swabs made during his Maine factory tour will be tossed in the trash
Business Insider – A Maine factory says it will have to discard all coronavirus swabs made during Trump’s factory tour
Snopes – Did a Medical Manufacturer Destroy Swabs After Trump’s Visit?
Worldometer – Coronavirus Cases, United States
