Fact Check: Are frontline workers taking Hydroxychloroquine to prevent Coronavirus as Trump claims?

WRAL ^ | 05/20/2020 | By Tara Subramaniam and Holmes Lybrand, CNN

[SeekAndFind]

President Donald Trump made headlines Monday when he voluntarily told reporters that he was taking hydroxychloroquine, which Trump has frequently touted as a "game changer" for coronavirus. This announcement was the latest development in Trump's weeks-long campaign in support of the drug, despite several reports and studies that have questioned its effectiveness in treating coronavirus patients.

Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial drug often used to treat autoimmune diseases like lupus.

The President, who has consistently tested negative for coronavirus, appeared to suggest he was taking the drug as a way to prevent getting infected, something he claimed frontline health workers are doing as well.

"You look at doctors and nurses. A lot of them are taking it as a preventative," Trump said.

Facts First:

There are several ongoing studies in the US to see if hydroxychloroquine successfully prevents frontline medical workers from getting infected by the virus. However, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved hydroxychloroquine as a preventative measure against coronavirus, nor is it authorized as treatment for coronavirus outside of hospitals. In fact, the FDA cautioned against use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for Covid-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial due to risk of heart rhythm problems.

CURRENT STUDIES:

In early April, the Henry Ford Health System in Michigan launched the first large-scale study in the US of hydroxychloroquine's effectiveness in preventing or impeding Covid-19 in frontline workers. The 3,000 health care workers and first responders in southeast Michigan selected for the study each received unmarked vials with either a daily dose of hydroxychloroquine, a once-a-week dose, or a placebo.

After eight weeks, the three groups will be compared to see if the medication had any effect. Preliminary results are expected possibly in August.

[jackibutterfly]

"President Trump could have just as easily advocated taking vitamin C to help ward off Covid19."

But he didn't advocate anything - he just said HE was taking it - didn't tell anyone else to take it.

[yldstrk]

I would if it was me.

[WildHighlander57]

aimhigh wrote:

“If Hydroxychloroquine is so dangerous, where are all the dead lupus patients?”

And the folks with rheumatoid arthritis.

And the folks deployed overseas to a malaria area.

Why don’t they go on about these folks taking it; normally they aren’t in hospital !

[JayGalt]

Sigh. I just went through this on Twitter. CDC/FDA are taking a politically motivated stance & the information on 1st responders & health care workers using the drug w/zinc as prophylaxis are being buried.

1. Sermo Reports: One-Quarter of Global Physicians Agree That Healthcare Workers Should Take Hydroxychloroquine to Prevent COVID-19 Infections; Use of Hydroxychloroquine in Prophylaxis and Even in Undiagnosed Suspected Patient Cases is Seen
Sermo’s Barometer studies have polled over 20,000 physicians globally regarding COVID-19 April 17, 2020 03:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200417005586/en/Sermo-Reports-One-Quarter-Global-Physicians-Agree-Healthcare

2. The Indian Council of Medical Research, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has recommended chemoprophylaxis with hydroxychloroquine (400 mg twice on day 1, then 400 mg once a week thereafter) for asymptomatic health-care workers treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, and for asymptomatic household contacts of confirmed cases.

3. •There was a large COVID-19 exposure event at a long-term care hospital in Korea.
•Post-exposure prophylaxis using hydroxychloroquine was provided to 211 individuals.
•Disease development was successfully prevented without severe adverse events.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092485792030145X

[shanover]

The “fact check” thing is so asinine. I took this crisis very seriously in month one and all it is now is a clown show.

[enumerated]

“But he didn’t advocate anything -“

Whatever....you get my point right?

[CharlesWayneCT]

From the article:

“When asked about the President’s comments, Hernandez said that prior to these trials “there were likely health care workers before that were taking hydroxychloroquine.””

So the answer is, Yes, Trump was telling the truth.

There are trials where they are taking it, there are reports from around the world of health care workers taking it, and in this country, there are reports of health care workers taking it.

Does that mean they should take it? Nope. It doesn’t say one way or another. Trump has never said that health care workers SHOULD be taking it.