Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is ripping President Donald Trump’s previous promise on coronavirus testing availability, calling it a “baldfaced lie.”
In The Washington Post op-ed published on Monday, Biden attacked the president’s coronavirus response efforts and claims about testing capacity.
The former vice president recalled Trump’s remarks about testing availability back in March, noting that “it’s been more than two months since Trump claimed that ‘anybody that wants a test can get a test.'”
Biden criticized Trump’s claim as he argued that testing is still a widespread problem in the United States.
“It was a baldfaced lie when he said it, and it still isn’t remotely true.”
As more than 40 states prepare for phased reopening this month, Biden is stressing the importance of widespread testing and how critical it is to implement safe protocols for “responsible reopening.”
“If we’re going to have thriving workplaces, restaurants, stores, and parks, we need widespread testing. Trump can’t seem to provide it — to say nothing of worker safety protocols, consistent health guidelines or clear federal leadership to coordinate a responsible reopening,” Biden wrote.
Biden also noted some of the economic demand impairments that could lead to long-term impacts for many businesses.
If safety measures cannot be guaranteed for Americans to safely shop, dine, and travel, the economy will still suffer, Biden argued in the piece.
“In addition to forgetting the tests, he seems to have forgotten that ours is a demand-driven economy — you can shout from the rooftops that we’re open for business, but the economy will not get back to full strength if the number of new cases is still rising or plateauing and people don’t believe that it’s safe to return to normal activities.”
Biden predicts that it may be a very long time before customers feel comfortable again, “without measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus.”
The former senator offered current restaurant statistics as an example of the problem.
Although Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) reopened his state two weeks ago, OpenTable reports that there are still 92% fewer diners that there were around the same time last year.
Without proper safety measures to decrease the chances of spreading the virus, Biden, predicts this could be an ongoing problem for many restaurants and small businesses fighting to recover.
“States and cities that have attempted to reopen are discovering that the economy isn’t a light switch you can simply flip on — people need confidence to make it run, and that confidence must be earned by credible leadership and demonstrable safety.”
“Again, the solution isn’t a mystery. The Trump administration could focus on producing and distributing adequate testing and protocols that conform with the guidance of public health experts; doing so would speed up the reopening process considerably and make it a whole lot more effective,” Biden added.
The former vice president concluded, “Instead of once again seeking to divide us, Trump should be working to get Americans the same necessary protections he has gotten for himself. It’s the right thing to do, and the only path to truly getting the economy back on track.”