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The handling of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s abrupt medical issue this week is raising concerns among medical experts that the event sent a potentially dangerous public-health message — that when someone experiences an episode with symptoms like McConnell’s, they can simply return to work as though nothing had happened.

McConnell experienced the episode on Wednesday — freezing and remaining silent for about 20 seconds during a press conference, then showing signs of disorientation — and was led away by aides while cameras rolled.

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Minutes later, the Kentucky senator, 81, returned to the press briefing and said, “I’m fine.” He didn’t answer specific questions about whether he was examined by a doctor. A McConnell aide later said the senator had felt light-headed.

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