Is Hillary Clinton on the verge of death, or is she perfectly healthy and all claims otherwise are just part of yet another vast right-wing conspiracy? Well, it depends on who you ask. It’s true that over the past several years she has suffered from episodes of dizziness and fainting spells. In 2005 she fainted while giving a speech, in 2009 she fell and fractured her elbow, in 2011 she collapsed while boarding a flight, in 2012 she fainted and sustained a concussion, and just weeks ago she collapsed while hastily exiting a 9/11 memorial service that was still in progress. You’d be worried if your grandmother fainted that much, so maybe it’s right to be worried if the potential future head of state is fainting that much. In addition, she’s suffered blood clots in her head and neck, and after her concussion in 2012 she began to wear Fresnel prism glasses, which are usually used to correct double vision. However, she never said exactly why she was wearing them, which has led some people to believe that she was suffering some symptoms of post-concussive disorder (she stopped wearing them a few months later). Most people agree about these basic facts, but the problem starts when people begin asking, “What does this all mean?”
Adding to the controversy are the episodes caught on camera. Epic coughing fits, moments where her mind seems to go blank, the viral video in which she appears to be having a seizure—or some other neurological episode—or simply making a very awkward joke.
Concerns about these issues have been brushed off by many Clinton supporters as conspiracy theories. Clinton’s campaign released a report signed by Clinton’s doctor declaring the candidate “healthy and fit to serve as President of the United States.” But some of the public does not seem to trust or be reassured by this doctor’s assertions, and for good reason. In early September, when Clinton was seen on camera fainting as she exited the 9/11 memorial service, Clinton’s team led people to believe that it was a result of her being overheated, or possibly her allergies. However, the incident was later said by Clinton’s doctor to be an effect of pneumonia. Clearly, Clinton’s team doesn’t seem to be as focused on being transparent to the public, as they are too busy protecting her. Nearly 71 percent of doctors polled in an informal Internet survey by the AAPS (American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists) say concerns about Clinton’s health “could be disqualifying for the position of President of the United States.” A Huffington Post survey shows that 38 percent of Americans feel that Clinton is not in good enough condition to effectively serve.
Some of the public note that something is wrong with Clinton’s health. The lack of a plausible explanation leads to wild speculations. This leaves voters lost and not knowing who or what to believe.
The main thing people are concerned about is Clinton’s cognitive ability. If she were to become president, she would need to be able to work in stressful environments, make decisions that have the potential to put many lives in danger, and respond to crises with a clear head.
The American people shouldn’t be left in a position where they feel like it is up to them to diagnose Clinton. But the public can’t trust Clinton’s doctor any more than they can trust Trump’s physician who pronounced him in “astonishingly excellent” health. The time may have come to mandate presidential candidates to be examined by impartial doctors; otherwise, we are left uncertain about the health of the future Commander-in-Chief.