An international poll of more than 6,000 doctors released Thursday found that the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine was the most highly rated treatment for the novel coronavirus, reported Washington Times.
The survey conducted by Sermo, a global health care polling company, of 6,227 physicians in 30 countries found that 37% of those treating COVID-19 patients rated hydroxychloroquine as the “most effective therapy” from a list of 15 options.
Last month, the Commander in Chief announced the FDA approval of Hydroxychloroquine for possible treatment of the coronavirus, during a White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing.
“A drug called Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine– this is a common malaria drug. It’s also a drug used for strong arthritis … also uses this in somewhat of a different form. But it is known as a malaria drug and it has been around for a long time and it’s very powerful. The nice part is it’s been around for a long time. So, we know if things don’t go as planned, it’s not going to kill anybody,” the president explained.
Hydroxychloroquine, sold under the brand name Plaquenil — and also used to treat arthritis and other ailments — was determined to be effective in killing the virus in laboratory experiments, Forbes reported, citing findings published March 9 in the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal.
On Saturday, President Trump tweeted an article from Washington Times titled: “Hydroxychloroquine rated ‘most effective therapy’ by doctors for coronavirus: Global survey”, and wrote, “I agree with this. Watch!” Continued Below
On Sunday, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) urged her followers to not listen to the President when it comes to handling COVID-19.
“Do not listen to 45 when he suggests untested #Hydroxychloroquine to treat #COVID19 – listen to Fauci,” Waters tweeted.
“Don’t listen to 45 when he says heat will kill the virus; or he won’t wear a mask; or when he calls hospital workers thieves, or refuses natl lockdown! 45 just can’t be trusted!” she claimed. Continued Below
Last month, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he would prescribe the medication President Trump has touted as a potential treatment for coronavirus patients.
“Of course, I mean if people particularly have no other option. You want to give them hope. In fact, physicians in this country, these drugs are approved drugs for other reasons. They’re anti-malaria drugs, and they’re drugs against certain autoimmune diseases like Lupus. Physicians throughout the country can prescribe that in an off-label way. Which means they can write it for something that it was not originally approved for,” Dr. Fauci said.
Asked on CNN is there data suggesting warm weather will slow down coronavirus? Dr. Fauci said: “We are hoping… that we will see that impact of warmer weather on bringing the infection rate down. But you can’t guarantee it because this is a brand-new virus.” Video Below
President Trump’s official tweet:
I agree with this. Watch! https://t.co/CouUHHu13t
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 4, 2020
Maxine Waters’ tweet:
Do not listen to 45 when he suggests untested #Hydroxychloroquine to treat #COVID19 – listen to Fauci. Don’t listen to 45 when he says heat will kill the virus; or he won’t wear a mask; or when he calls hospital workers thieves, or refuses natl lockdown! 45 just can’t be trusted!
— Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) April 6, 2020
Video Below
Dr. Fauci on Hydroxychloroquine and warm weather:
LISTEN: Dr. Fauci says he would "of course" prescribe hydroxychloroquine for coronavirus patients, "particularly if people have no other option. You want to give them hope."
"These drugs are approved drugs for other reasons."
He says it's a choice between doctor and patient. pic.twitter.com/1cq0S5NSPb
— Trump War Room – Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) March 27, 2020
Q: Is there data suggesting warm weather will slow down coronavirus?
"We are hoping…that we will see that impact of warmer weather on bringing the infection rate down. But you can't guarantee it because this is a brand-new virus." -Dr. Anthony Fauci on coronavirus #CNNTownHall pic.twitter.com/sto8sZQk1T
— CNN (@CNN) March 27, 2020
Meanwhile, President Trump was asked about wearing a mask during Sunday’s White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing:
And as @DanScavino points out, none of the reporters are wearing masks.https://t.co/d6oiXcJnXH https://t.co/d2QnQbvmBC
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) April 6, 2020
