There is a buzz about the presidential election in America, but the health of American President Joe Biden is being discussed more than discussing this election. Incumbent President Joe Biden did not fare so well in the presidential debates. He appeared weaker than his rival Donald Trump. Now the leaders of Biden’s own party are demanding his resignation. Also they are asking to withdraw their candidature from the election. Meanwhile, there was also a demand that Biden undergo a cognitive test and make his report public. A cognitive test, in general terms, is a test of thinking, which includes brain functions such as thinking, learning, remembering and using language.
US President Joe Biden has turned 81 years old. Questions have been raised about his physical and mental fitness for some time, but the debate gained momentum after the June 27 presidential debate on whether Biden should undergo a cognitive test. In fact, during the debate, the President appeared confused several times, to the point where there was no expression on his face. The issue of not being able to move his arms and legs properly also came up several times. Now the opposition party has made an official demand for his cognitive test.
What did the President say?
However, in response to the letter, Biden categorically refused to undergo the test. “I go through cognitive tests every day,” he said, according to NBC News. I give test in every work. According to the report, Biden has not had a regular medical check-up since February, which is quite surprising. This was revealed by the White House Secretary himself.
What is the cognitive test we are talking about
A special thing is that the people who are standing in favor of Biden are also demanding his test so that the mouths of the questioners are silenced. So what is the test that can declare an American president fit for office, or question it? This is a test of thinking, which includes brain functions such as thinking, learning, remembering and using language. If these things are not appropriate then it will be considered a cognitive impairment or disability.
When is this test?
People who complain of dementia, or who have symptoms such as frequent forgetfulness, or inability to make sound decisions, are also recommended by doctors to undergo this test. These are mostly elderly patients. Cognitive problems increase after 60, and fear is greatest after 75. Seen from this perspective, Biden is in the risk group. However, he has refused to conduct any such test and provide the investigation report.
A letter issued by the White House Medical Unit
The issue of Biden’s investigation dragged on so much that the White House doctor had to talk about it. In the letter released on Monday, he said the president undergoes regular medical tests, including neurological specialists, who check whether the American leader has dementia or Parkinson’s-like symptoms. According to the letter from the medical unit, Biden is perfectly healthy.
A history of concealing illnesses in the White House
There have been several such cases in the past too, when Presidents have kept life-threatening illnesses hidden to stay in office. Grover Cleveland, who completed two terms, went to great lengths to hide his illness. He underwent surgery on the ship for stage three oral cancer and the excuse was made that he was on holiday. There was a risk that the doctors’ hands would shake while the surgery was being performed amid the surging sea waves, which could have worsened the situation, but the risk was taken. At that time, Cleveland recovered but died soon after. It is believed that this was the result of marine surgery, which could not cure the cancer. Common people got the information about this very late.
American historian Matthew Algeo also wrote a book on presidents’ habit of hiding their illnesses. The book titled ‘The President is a Sick Man’ mentions physical and mental illnesses, which also affected the country.
Roosevelt called the attack indigestion
The case of Franklin Roosevelt who served three consecutive terms as president is different from all others. At age 40, Roosevelt contracted polio, which left both of his legs useless. This was a time when millions of people were killed by polio and those who survived became disabled. Roosevelt was in a wheelchair when he ran for his first term. The Americans did not have specific information about this. This was not the age of TV or such intense publicity, so keeping a secret was not particularly difficult.
After reaching the White House, he continued to suffer from many illnesses, but no one knew about them. Until when Roosevelt had his first heart attack and was questioned by the media, he was told that he was suffering from digestive problems. This is also openly written about in Whistlestop, a book about American politics including Roosevelt.
Woodrow Wilson arrived at the White House with several serious illnesses. He was a patient of double vision and also had two heart attacks. The right side of his body was not working properly. He also took a lot of time to read and sign the papers.