Trump says 'can't imagine why' US witnessed surge in calls regarding disinfectant

After suggesting to inject disinfectant into patients to treat coronavirus, US President Donald Trump said that he can’t imagine why there has been a surge in hotline calls regarding disinfectant. During a press conference on April 23, Trump wondered whether injecting disinfectant inside people could be a treatment for the coronavirus. 

“I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it (the virus) out in a minute, and is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside, or almost a cleaning. It gets in the lungs,” Trump had suggested.

Following Trump’s suggestion, the state of Maryland's emergency hotline reportedly received hundreds of calls seeking guidance on the US President’s comments. The spike in calls forced Maryland governor’s to issue a statewide alert warning against drinking or injecting disinfectants.

When a reporter tried to draw the attention of Trump towards the surge in calls related to disinfectant, he said, “I can’t imagine why. I can’t imagine that.” The US President was asked whether he took the responsibility for increased number of calls, he replied, “No. I don’t.”

Read: Here's How Hillary Clinton Reacted To Trump's Bizarre 'disinfectant Injection' Suggestion

'Don't drink bleach'

Trump’s comment immediately became a matter of ridicule and Democrats left no chance to attack him. While Hillary Clinton urged people not to poison themselves, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden requested people to not drink bleach.

Read: Laughing Stock Like Never Before, Trump Claims 'disinfectant' Suggestion Was 'sarcastic'

However, Trump later asserted that it was a sarcastic comment and should not have been taken seriously by anyone. “It was asking a sarcastic and a very sarcastic question to the reporters in the room about disinfectant on the inside. But it does kill it, and it would kill it on the hands and that would make things much better," he told the reporters.

Read: Joe Biden Can't Believe What He's Had To Say After Trump Suggests 'inject Disinfectants'

Read: Trump Claims Disinfectant Comments Were 'sarcastic' After Facing Massive Backlash

(Image: AP)