Trump attended the NJ fundraising event after knowing he was exposed to Hope Hicks who had tested positive. Aren't we supposed to self quarantine if we are aware we have been in contact with someone who tests positive? What was he thinking?

Let's look a little further in the future. Besides the obvious lesson of what can happen by not following almost universally prescribed precautions by medical experts and getting the virus, I believe up until now we have already learned quite a bit from this. Chief among them are the wildly varying stories we citizens keep being told regarding the timelines, seriousness and facts on what has happened. What I also predict, is that when he gets through it (I think the odds are good that he will) many will start using the fact that he made it (ignoring the obvious in that he had every resource in the world available, which the average person doesn't) to say - "see, it isn't all that bad after all."

Should that occur, then IMHO this nation will have been set back tremendously in trying to truly get our arms around this pandemic and the couple hundred thousand (just to date) who have already died, will be but just a small beginning. For the long term benefit of our great nation, I have never before in my life, hoped harder that I am completely wrong. This is a lifetime opportunity for a leader to do immeasurable good, by uttering the simple phrase of - "I was wrong."

Along with Boris, prince Charles, and 100 plus more. O make that millions more.

Backlog
 

I was told that several test results were backlogged and reported all at once, which is the reason for the large number in one day.

Yes, I'm aware of this and I am appalled by it.

Yes. That's exactly what I mean. Outdoors is very safe especially if you can maintain some space between yourself and others. The White House is one of the most secure places on earth, but hundreds of people work there, and hundreds more go in and out on official business. People who work there are tested daily; some are tested more than once in a day; visitors are tested. But tests can give false results. All it takes is one inaccurate test, and all the precautions are worthless. Most of the people in the rose garden were probably in the White House first. That's the way it usually works for state functions. My guess is negative screenings made most of them feel pretty secure, and they weren't as cautious as they could have been while inside.

It has been reported that the rapid Abbot tests which have been used at the White House are only 50% accurate. How helpful is that? It isn't.

Can I "like" this 100000000000000000000 times? Please?

Plus one.

Leadership in January when first advised would have been great, but even late might save lives.

Just remember 99.4% recovery. Pretty darn good if you ask me. Enjoy life just be careful not fearfull

Never going to happen.

True, but what about your neighbors, friends or your loved ones you might infect unintentionally?

Let's just review some facts. I am not an MD but from a engineer's perspective.

One sneeze can spit out 3000 droplets traveling 200 mph and can travel 40+ feet.
Each droplet can contain 5000+ viruses. Everyone including very old and weak still has some immunity to fight off the virus even CV. If you caught 1 virus, you might still be OK.
It's numbers game, if you are in a proximity to a infected person without a mask ( not necessarily 6 ft but closer the worse ) your chances of catching CV dramatically increases even if you are very healthy. Then your are asymptomatic but still dangerous for the rest of the population because you are not aware that you can kill many others.

Asians have been wearing masks for decades. Not just for flu and cold but also for allergies. Just imagine someone sneezed without covering their mouth in front of you and you felt a droplet in your face. Even a healthy person can carry a lot of bacteria and/or virus.

So, wearing a mask protects other people from your germs. Also minimize number of viruses you might be exposed to. There is no 100% protection unless you wear hazard suit 24 hours. So, at this moment, nobody knows whether one has CV or not. Even when you have been tested negative for CV yesterday, you could have caught it right after that.

Let's wear a mask for humanity and for yourself.

How do the masks prevent us from getting the virus?

People who refuse to wear a mask have no regard for those around them. During the night time bombing of London, none of the Londoners broke the blackout by leaving their lights on by citing personal liberty and so putting others in danger.

The scientists
 

MOST OF US who have not had, been negatively tested for, or do not intend to have this virus ALWAYS listened to the scientists. Always wore a mask, and were sensible in social distancing. Shame that those "know alls" in the White House, and many other places, DID NOT. Just how many have they infected now.. NO ONE IS IMMUNE.......