The campaigns of former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders both canceled post-primary rallies on Tuesday over fears of the spreading coronavirus, which — as of this writing — was approaching 1,000 infections nationwide.
“Out of concern for public health and safety, we are canceling tonight’s rally in Cleveland," Sanders' campaign communications director Mike Casca said in a statement. "We are heeding the public warnings from Ohio state officials, who have communicated concern about holding large, indoor events during the coronavirus outbreak.”
As NBC News reported, Casca further noted that the Vermont senator “would like to express his regret to the thousands of Ohioans who had planned to attend the event tonight” and that "all future Bernie 2020 events will be evaluated on a case by case basis.”
Meanwhile, Kate Bedingfield, the deputy campaign manager and communications director for Biden announced on Twitter: “In accordance with guidance from public officials and out of an abundance of caution, our rally in Cleveland, Ohio tonight is cancelled. We will continue to consult with public health officials and public health guidance and make announcements about future events in the coming days. Vice President Biden thanks all of his supporters who wanted to be with us in Cleveland this. [sic] Additional details on where Vice President Biden will address the press tonight are forthcoming.”
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Ohio’s primary is next week, and both candidates had planned rallies there ahead of time — though it isn’t clear as yet which candidate would emerge from Tuesday’s voting leading the pack. Biden is expected to, but Sanders has been persistent.
According to real-time statistics as of this writing, there are 971 known coronavirus cases in the United States, 30 virus-related deaths, and 15 known virus recoveries. Several states and some counties have declared coronavirus-related emergencies. In addition to Ohio, they include New York, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
‘The president’s rallies will continue’
NBC News reported further:
Fears about coronavirus have hit the 2020 election, as campaigns and election officials try to balance the competing goals of connecting with voters and protecting them by keeping them isolated from potentially infected people.
On Monday, though, The National Sentinel reported that President Trump had no plans to cancel his campaign rallies.
“We will have tremendous rallies and we’re doing very well, and we’ve done a fantastic job with respect to that subject,” Trump responded when asked if his “Keep America Great” campaign events would continue. (Related: GOOD NEWS: US deaths from the coronavirus could be reduced to 1.1 million by July 4th via “social distancing” measures, new projection shows.)
But isn’t that irresponsible? Shouldn’t the president be setting an example here?
“Right now we are telling people to act as if this is a severe flu season and wash your hands often,” White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham told “Fox & Friends” Monday. “If you are elderly or have any ailments or underlying health issues, maybe don’t go to areas where there are big crowds. If you do start to feel sick stay home, don’t go to work.”
Pressed on the campaign rallies, she added: “He plans on still holding rallies. I will tell you that with our president, this man who doesn’t sleep and who I have seen work 15, 16 hours a day every day, I have no problem thinking that he is going to be just fine and just healthy.”
On Tuesday, the president also admitted that neither he nor Vice President Mike Pence have been tested for the virus.
“It’s not a big deal to get tested,” Trump told reporters. “I don’t think it’s a big deal. I would do it. I don’t feel that — any reason. I feel extremely good; I feel very good. But I guess it’s not a big deal to get tested and it’s something I would do.”
Famous last words?
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