Whitmer, Hogan say emergency hotline calls rose after Trump disinfectant remarks

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said Sunday that emergency hotlines in their states saw increases in calls after President Trump suggested disinfectants be investigated as a treatment for COVID-19. 

Whitmer told ABC’s “This Week” that calls rose after Trump spoke last Thursday about using disinfectants “by injection inside or almost a clearing,” adding that residents listen to the “person with the most powerful position on the planet,” whether the comments were “serious or not.” 

“We have seen an increase in numbers of people calling poison control and so I think it’s really important that every one of us with a platform disseminate medically accurate information,” she said. 

“I want to say, unequivocally no one should be using disinfectant — to digest it to fight COVID-19,” she added. “Please don’t do it. Just don’t do it.”

“We have seen an increase in numbers of people calling poison control and so I think it’s really important that every one of us with a platform disseminate medically accurate information,” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says on Trump disinfectant comments. https://t.co/kz1qZhs59Q pic.twitter.com/aocyhWCg4A

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) April 26, 2020

Hogan told ABC host George Stephanopoulos on the same show that Maryland’s emergency hotline received “hundreds of calls” seeking guidance about Trump’s comments. 

The influx in calls prompted the Maryland Emergency Management Agency to issue a warning that “under no circumstance” should disinfectants be ingested.  

“I think when misinformation comes out, or you just say something that pops in your head it does send a wrong message,” Hogan said. 

The Maryland governor said Trump should ensure his message during press conferences are “fact-based.”

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency warned that “under no circumstance” should disinfectants be ingested.

Gov. Larry Hogan says they received “hundreds of calls” seeking guidance following Trump’s comments and it’s important to communicate “facts.” https://t.co/zB7Ch1H4ND pic.twitter.com/RrFpJqmllo

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) April 26, 2020

Trump later defended his comments, saying he was being sarcastic when he suggested that public health officials consider using light, heat and disinfectants to treat the coronavirus. 

Health officials and politicians slammed the president for his comments and encouraged the American people not to ingest disinfectants.