Former President Barack Obama announced on March 13 that he tested positive for COVID-19.
“I just tested positive for COVID. I’ve had a scratchy throat for a couple of days but am feeling fine otherwise,” Obama tweeted. “Michelle and I are grateful to be vaccinated and boosted, and she has tested negative. It’s a reminder to get vaccinated if you haven’t already, even as cases go down.”
The response to the announcement again served as a reminder that Obama stands as arguably the most popular president in U.S. history.
“Those six words just terrified me to death,” Twitter user Meidas_T’Sharra said. “I cannot begin to explain to you how greatly you changed my life, and we desperately need you around for many more years.”
Another user, Carol Freedland, wrote: “Please take care. We need you.”
In a direct response to Obama’s tweet, writer Michael Ordoǹa said: “Thank you for modeling responsible behavior. Get well soon, Mr. President.”
Obama recently returned to Washington, D.C., after spending much of the winter in Hawaii. He tested positive in D.C., according to various news outlets.
In a 2018 Pew Research Center survey, one in five adults gave Obama the most favorable ratings of any U.S. President.
More than 44% called Obama the best or second-best president in their lifetimes. Thirty-one percent named Obama their favorite—an 11-point increase since 2011, late in his first term, when it was 20%.
The survey revealed that Obama fared best with millennials, the largest generation in the country, with 46$% ranking him as their favorite.
“Here’s to a speedy recovery, Mr. President,” tweeted Jamie Carter, Director Partnerships at Dem Cast U.S.A.
