As the coronavirus continues to spread in the country, it is becoming a larger part of the conversation in the presidential campaign.
Former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign announced it had established a “Public Health Advisory Committee” that will provide the campaign “expert advice” to reduce the health risks of the coronavirus to staffers and supporters.
“The campaign’s top priority is and will continue to be the health and safety of the public. Members of the committee will provide ongoing counsel to the campaign, which will, in turn, continue to update the public regarding operational decisions,” the campaign said in a statement.
The committee is made up of six doctors and former government officials and is tasked with providing “science-based, expert advice regarding steps the campaign should take to minimize health risks.”
The committee members include: Dr. Zeke Emanuel, the vice provost of global initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. David Kessler, a former commissioner of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration; Lisa Monaco, the former homeland security adviser to President Obama; Dr. Vivek Murthy, the former surgeon general under Obama.
The announcement of the panel comes after Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) canceled campaign events in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.
Biden’s campaign also canceled a Florida rally that was scheduled for Thursday and said he would deliver a speech on the outbreak in Delaware instead.
While Biden and Sanders canceled rallies, President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign has not indicated that it would follow suit.
Trump campaign spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany said during an appearance on Fox News on Wednesday that the campaign would continue to hold rallies.
“The president is the best authority on this issue. He takes into consult the words of everyone around him,” she said. “Right now, we’re proceeding as normal.”