Picture of Kerry working in the hospital that was sent out by twitter

[karynnj]

https://twitter.com/johnkerry/status/608391024340303872



Probably in response to the media harassing the State spokesperson to get a photo out - in addition to their daily reports of Kerry's work and progress.

From yesterday's briefing:

MR RATHKE: So I have just two things to mention at the top today.

First, Ukraine: Deputy Secretary Blinken will meet later today in Washington with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yatsenyuk to discuss U.S. support for Ukraine’s ambitious reform agenda as well as Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine. We reiterate that the people of the United States stand firmly with the people of Ukraine in their quest for a more democratic, stable, peaceful, and prosperous and independent country. We are committed to using our good offices to urge all sides to speed implementation of the Minsk commitments, including a lasting, verifiable ceasefire and the pullback of heavy weapons under OSCE monitoring.

And the second item: The Secretary spoke yesterday with Brazilian Foreign Minister Vieira. The focus of the conversation was climate change and how economic expansion and reduced greenhouse gas emissions can go hand in hand.

The Secretary also had a policy discussion by phone this morning with some senior members of his team with regard to Russia, and he will talk later today with his Iran team to go over current issues and to keep in touch with them.

So that’s what I have at the start, and turn it over to you, Matt.

QUESTION: Well, can – just on the Secretary, is there any update on his schedule? When is he going to appear in public again?

MR RATHKE: I don’t have any update on his schedule of that sort. He remains in the hospital and is doing physical therapy and is in consultation with his doctors, but I don’t have an announcement about dates or timelines for his – of course, I know there’s interest, and as soon as we have anything we’ll share that.

QUESTION: Well, I mean, it’s been 10 days now. There hasn’t been a photograph. He hasn’t shown his face anywhere.

MR RATHKE: Well, he’s --

QUESTION: He is the Secretary of State.

MR RATHKE: He is the Secretary of State, and that’s why we’ve been giving you all regular updates about his activities. He underwent surgery, a major bone broken, and so that’s – that, of course, takes some time for recovery. And we’ve described that from the very start.

QUESTION: Well, I understand. But I think that you’ll find that there is growing interest in what exactly he’s doing and why no one has seen hide nor hair of him.

MR RATHKE: Well, I think I’ve explained what he’s been doing over the last day or so.

QUESTION: A photograph, some video.

MR RATHKE: I understand the interest, and I’m sure that before too long that will also come.

Go ahead. Other --

[enough]

1. Nice hospital room. (nt)

[merrily]

2. All rooms in that hospital are not like that. Been there, didn't do that.

[karynnj]

3. Well, I assume that he and Teresa have been big donors and his daughter and son-in-law

work there. Not to mention, he can afford to pay whatever is needed.

I assume that it may actually be easier for his security people to have him in one place - rather than at home and coming in for PT. The State Department spokesperson spoke of a very aggressive rehab and JK working remotely as much as possible. Staying in one place certainly allows him to concentrate on just those two things. Note that he is incredibly motivated to be back to negotiations. No one on our side has been more important on the Iran negotiations and we are in the crunch period.

I assume that his doctors, his family and the State Department worked out this situation as the optimal plan before he even flew back to the US.

[merrily]

5. If the hospital stay is planned, you get a pre-admission meeting in which you are

offered the option of a room on a floor on which the rooms are very expensive. I don't remember the price. I assume that is what Kerry opted for. I just wanted to make clear that not all Mass General hospital rooms come with a couch.

[mylye2222]

6. And he is a VIP.

So for sure he has opted for comforty place.

The rumors before that pic were just pure BS. Rwers Netroots claimed it was an assasination attempt... PFFFFFF....

[merrily]

7. VIP is a different issue.

If you are a VIP, even a doctor at the hospital, they generally admit you and keep you there under an assumed name. But, he has that room because he can afford to pay extra for it.

The important thing is a fast and full recovery.

[karynnj]

4. Nice article from a source I am completely unfamiliar with

-- so nice, it could have been written in this group.

http://www.bustle.com/articles/89464-john-kerry-shares-broken-leg-photo-proving-yet-again-nothing-can-get-him-down

[YvonneCa]

8. You could be the author...

... Or MBS maybe...

[karynnj]

9. Thanks -

It could also have been you or many of the dozens of people who had at some point been in this group.