Before he was President Trump's Secretary for Urban Development, Ben Carson was an actual brain surgeon. That means he should know the basics of health protocol.
While appearing at a press conference to address the threat of COVID-19 in the United States, he certainly received reminders about behaviors to avoid. That didn't stop him, however, from coughing directly into his hand as soon as he took the podium.
Moments later, he followed his cough up by touching his face.
Trump disbanded the entire White House pandemic preparedness team. But don’t worry, Ben Carson’s a doctor. *cough… https://t.co/Qk8qAMkk2l— The Daily Edge (@The Daily Edge)1584209553.0
Twitter was glad Carson gave us a perfect example of what not to do.
Ben Carson showing us HOW NOT TO COUGH IN PUBLIC https://t.co/QsVFBYxVjf— Meena Harris (@Meena Harris)1584208281.0
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to know that you shouldn't cough into your hand, and then touch your face, during a… https://t.co/wrm5IKzlHy— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@BrooklynDad_Defiant!)1584211621.0
Everyone at that podium ought to be following their own social distancing guidelines, ESPECIALLY doctors. This is f… https://t.co/KURxeJWQ54— Joe Madison (@Joe Madison)1584448932.0
To be fair, Carson hasn't been a practicing surgeon for several years.
Doctors: Wash your hands after you cough and absolutely positively do NOT touch your face! Dr. Ben Carson:… https://t.co/p0mCOP239t— Dr. Victoria Dooley (@Dr. Victoria Dooley)1584207918.0
@mmpadellan All of us https://t.co/3HfanVpKDd— The Dutchess (@The Dutchess)1584211877.0
Secretary and DOCTOR Ben Carson steps up to the mic and immediately coughs into, and then touches his nose with, hi… https://t.co/dXJi0D7MPC— KevinlyFather 🇺🇲🇨🇦🇲🇼🇸🇿 (@KevinlyFather 🇺🇲🇨🇦🇲🇼🇸🇿)1584209275.0
It's a miracle Ben Carson isn't sick.
Dr. Ben Carson coughs, into his hand, and touches the podium while trying to convince the public about our… https://t.co/5de1yxNrZo— Kristen Clarke 866-OUR-VOTE (@Kristen Clarke 866-OUR-VOTE)1584208354.0
Thank goodness Ben “Cough into My Hands and Rub it on My Face” Carson is educating everyone on prayer during this C… https://t.co/CxnFX4BITq— Erica Steiner (@Erica Steiner)1584206221.0
Carson also got some attention during the press conference for recommending prayer to avoid the coronavirus (despite his years in the medical profession).
Dr. Ben Carson says President Trump will be recommending a national day of prayer https://t.co/VvtHLswsJi— NowThis (@NowThis)1584374580.0
Thank you @realdonaldtrump for designating this National Day of Prayer. Now more than ever, we must lean into our f… https://t.co/V0wOjMnqeW— Ben Carson (@Ben Carson)1584293265.0
Ben Carson, a medical doctor with an international reputation for highest levels of achievement in a particularly c… https://t.co/Vi3N0fNcNu— Greg Carr (@Greg Carr)1584375836.0
Twitter was, needless to say, frustrated.
@TheDailyEdge https://t.co/udc5OKjd3R— e.b. littlehill ✍🏼🌸📸 (@e.b. littlehill ✍🏼🌸📸)1584211833.0
But, sadly, Ben Carson learned his behaviors from the man at the top.
Doctors: Avoid shaking hands and touching common spaces Trump Coronavirus Response Team: https://t.co/OBCmp1orje— The Daily Show (@The Daily Show)1584134246.0
@TheDailyEdge https://t.co/jYTMQ49BBE— The Dalai Mama™ (@The Dalai Mama™)1584214453.0
It still boggles my mind that people let Ben Carson cut into their brains.— John Aravosis 🇺🇸 (@John Aravosis 🇺🇸)1584205647.0
As the country attempts to stop the spread of COVID-19, remember NOT to follow Ben Carson's example!