Chris Christie: “Regular People Can’t Afford My COVID19 Treatment”
Chris Christie was just one of many people in the Trump orbit who tested positive for COVID19, but his comorbidities and pre-existing conditions made his case a lot worse than some others who have contracted the virus. Christie spent at least two hours doing debate prep in close proximity to Trump without taking any safety precautions prior to the first Presidential Debate. Trump tested positive soon after returning to the White House, with several other White House staffers contracting it as well.
Christie was hospitalized for a full week, including some time spent in the ICU. Upon being discharged, Christie tweeted his thanks to the medical staff of the New Jersey hospital where he received treatment, but he indicated he wanted to speak more substantially to his experience.
I am happy to let you know that this morning I was released from Morristown Medical Center. I want to thank the extraordinary doctors & nurses who cared for me for the last week. Thanks to my family & friends for their prayers. I will have more to say about all of this next week.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) October 10, 2020
Christie did indeed follow up, sharing more about his personal experience and imploring people to follow the guidelines he ignored.
Chris Christie on ABC: "No matter what you're doing, you should have a mask on and you should try to remain socially distant from folks. I did it for seven months and I stayed healthy. I didn't do it for four days and I wound up in the ICU."
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 16, 2020
Christie’s humility in the wake of his experience is refreshing, considering Trump is still continuing to push false narratives regarding the virus. Christie was treated with Eli Lilly and Co.’s experimental antibody treatment, along with Gilead Sciences Inc.’s antiviral Remdesivir, an Ebola drug. The average American wouldn’t be able to afford a similar course of treatment, estimated to top $100,000.
Chris Christie is sorry he didn't wear a mask. He also got VIP access to Lilly's experimental monoclonal antibody https://t.co/9u8THAkCyW
— Maggie Fox (@maggiemfox) October 16, 2020
Christie appeared on “Good Morning, America” Friday morning to discuss his experience with George Stephanopolous. “I let my guard down for a couple of days inside the White House grounds and it cost me in a significant way,” the former New Jersey Governor said.
.@ABC NEWS EXCLUSIVE: @GovChristie talks to our @GStephanopoulos for the first time since he tested positive for coronavirus. “I let my guard down for a couple of days inside the White House grounds and it cost me in a significant way.” https://t.co/aYZI2LnNcV pic.twitter.com/h12I8IpPjj
— Good Morning America (@GMA) October 16, 2020