First Lady Melania Trump has become more vocal in the midst of this time of social distancing, amplifying the message brought by experts to the American public. In another effort to show her appreciation to those working in the front lines in the hospitals, the First Lady gifted hospitals with care packages.
Melania sent care packages to hospitals in 10 states for children and healthcare workers who are currently on the front lines to battle the pandemic and tend to those infected. The First Lady sent packages to hospitals in New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Delaware, Nevada, and even the District of Columbia, although it is not disclosed which hospitals she specifically sent the packages to. The care packages included blankets, caps, and gifts for children such as pencils, stickers, books, games, and backpacks. Each package had the logo of her initiative, Be Best, which advocates for healthy online behavior.
“The medical community has gone above and beyond to protect the health of the American people,” said the First Lady in a statement, noting that the items were a token of her appreciation to the front line workers’ courage and leadership in fighting the coronavirus at this time. As of now, there are almost a million cases of infections with over 55,000 deaths in the United States from the pandemic.
Trump has previously voiced her gratitude towards those who work at essential businesses and in healthcare through social media. She has also stressed the importance of wearing face masks and to take social distancing seriously, in stark contrast to her husband’s almost daily coronavirus briefings at the White House.
At the same time, it also marks the First Lady’s birthday and President Donald Trump took to Twitter to wish his wife of 15 years a happy birthday. “Happy Birthday to Melania, our great First Lady!” tweeted Trump. The first family is expected to celebrate quietly in the White House, according to Stephanie Grisham, Melania’s Chief of Staff.
Ivanka Trump also sent in her birthday wishes to her stepmother, sharing a photo of the First Lady with her husband Jared Kushner. Eric Trump’s wife Lara Trump also sent in her birthday wishes to the First Lady.