Democratic lawmaker credits Trump, antimalarial drug for saving her from coronavirus

Karen Whitsett, a Democratic lawmaker from Detroit, is crediting President Trump for saving her life by raising hydroxychloroquine as a possible treatment for the coronavirus.

Whitsett, who learned Monday she had tested for positive for COVID-19, sought treatment for a range of symptoms in mid-March and her doctor prescribed the antimalarial medicine.

Whitsett was quoted by the Detroit Free Press as saying she had experienced shortness of breath, swollen lymph nodes, and what felt like a sinus infection, and started improving within two hours of getting the pills.

Hydroxychloroquine tablet is used to prevent and treat malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, among other ailments.

Whitsett was familiar with "the wonders" of hydroxychloroquine because she previously had Lyme disease, but says she would not have thought of asking her doctor had Trump not mentioned it in public as a possible treatment for the deadly COVID-19.

For the last several weeks, the president has been been discussing that he had learned about various previously approved drugs for other ailments that were helping those inflicted with COVID-19.

Despite criticism from health professionals that it has not been fully tested for COVID-19, doctors are prescribing it and witnessing positive results.

"It has a lot to do with the president ... bringing it up," Whitsett said about why she got prescribed the drug.

"He is the only person who has the power to make it a priority," she added.

Asked if she believed Trump may have saved her life, Whitsett said: "Yes, I do," and "I do thank him for that."