Trump continues to shake hands even after federal health officials warn him against it

Amidst the coronavirus outbreak, federal health agencies have warned citizens of the United States against skin-to-skin contact, including handshakes. This has been quite the readjustment for handshake-happy DC, but Capitol Hill lawmakers have been cognizant and proactive. Everyone has been getting creative with their greetings, with many opting for the popular "elbow bump." However, there's still one person who has chosen to defy warnings issued by federal health officials - the President. Yes, President Donald Trump has still been shaking hands with high-level representatives of government, CNN reports. While all of America scrambles to protect public health, Trump has thrown caution to the wind.

According to a source close to the recently-instituted coronavirus task force, President Trump has continued to shake hands with diplomats and other officials. This has, needless to say, caused federal health officials to worry. They believe Trump should be more conscious, at least until medical experts can confirm that he will not contract the virus - and consequently spread it to other important government officials. The fact that Trump is still shaking hands was confirmed by Vice President Mike Pence during Tuesday's coronavirus task force briefing. "As the President has said, in our line of work, you shake hands when someone wants to shake your hand, and I expect the President will continue to do that, I'll continue to do it," he stated when asked a question about it. "What this is is a broad recommendation for Americans, but a really good recommendation is to wash your hands often with hot soap and water for 20 seconds."

Of course, it seems strange that a federal health recommendation would not apply equally to the President as it does to the country's citizens, but it seems that that's what most laws are like in the Trump era. Like several other rules and regulations, the President was unabashed about flouting this recommendation as well. At a Fox News town hall held last week, Trump showed no signs of backing down on all the handshaking. "I love the people of this country, and you can't be a politician and not shake hands," he explained. "And I'll be shaking hands with people - and they want to say hello and hug you and kiss you - I don't care."

Due to his laissez-faire attitude towards the coronavirus outbreak, three Trump advisers, including one inside the White House and two others outside the administration, have expressed their concerns. They believe his otherwise divisive style of politicking is ineffective when dealing with a global medical pandemic. One of the sources said about the President's rather unhealthy obsession with press coverage of the virus, "I think the President is more concerned about containing CNN than containing the virus." After all, it is more about how things look than how things actually are when it comes to President Trump and his administration.

So far, the President is apparently in "excellent" health, as per White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham. However, Trump is yet to take a coronavirus test to ensure he has not contracted the deadly illness. "I don't think it's a big deal," he shared earlier today with reporters on Capitol Hill. "I would do it, I don't feel any reason - I feel extremely good." He may not feel "extremely good" to learn, however, that two of his fellow Republican party members recently announced plans to self-quarantine after making contact with an individual who later tested positive for coronavirus. With all those handshakes, it's probably best for Trump to get himself tested.