Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden says he will let science guide the decisions for safety procedures at future presidential debates.
Biden was asked what kind of safety measures he would like to see at the next presidential debate — if Trump wants to proceed as scheduled.
“Listen to the science,” Biden said on Monday. “If scientists say that it’s safe… then I think that’s fine.”
He added, “I’ll do whatever the experts say is appropriate for me to do.”
When asked if he would like to see plexiglass installed on the stage, Biden said, “I’m not an expert on it but I think we should be very cautious.”
Watch the video below:
Reporter: "Do you have a reaction to President Trump leaving Walter Reed last night to greet his supporters?"
— The Hill (@thehill) October 5, 2020
Joe Biden: "I'm reluctant to comment on anything the President's health or what he's doing or not doing." https://t.co/FygNjSsBh6 pic.twitter.com/PpPn8k6D65
Biden’s comments come days after Trump revealed that he tested positive for the virus, as IJR reported. After he revealed his positive test result, Trump was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for observation.
The president’s positive test result added an extra layer of uncertainty to the presidential debate schedule. The next presidential debate is scheduled for Oct. 15, which would be exactly two weeks after the president received a positive test result.
This week, Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris are still scheduled to take the stage for their only debate before the Nov. 3 election.
During that debate, Pence and Harris will be placed 12 feet apart from each other instead of the originally planned seven-foot distance.
Pence has tested negative for the virus, however, former Food and Drug Commissioner Scott Gottlieb recently said, “Anyone who was with the president on Tuesday, Wednesday is not in the clear. I mean, anyone who was with any of the people who are currently infected earlier this week, they were probably at their peak contagion at that point.”
“So typically, you’re most contagious about 24 hours before the onset of symptoms. So the debate prep on Tuesday is a source of potential third-generation spread. The meeting of the GOP, the Senate GOP on Wednesday, is a source of third-generation spread,” he added.
