Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is declaring that if President Donald Trump is still infected with COVID-19 by the next presidential debate scheduled for Oct. 15 then the two should not face off.
After noting he tested negative again on Tuesday, Biden told reporters on Tuesday night, “I don’t know exactly what the rules are going to be, and I’m not sure that what President Trump is all about now, I don’t know what his status is. I’m looking forward to being able to debate him, but I just hope all the protocols are followed, what’s necessary at the time.”
“Do you feel safe in the same room as someone who still may have COVID?” Biden was asked by a reporter.
Biden responded, “Well, I think if he still has COVID, we shouldn’t have a debate.”
“By the way, I think we’re going to have to follow very strict guidelines,” the former vice president continued. “Too many people have been infected, and it’s a very serious problem, and so I’ll be guided by the guidelines of the Cleveland Clinic and what the docs say, the right thing to do. If and when he shows up for the debate.”
See Biden’s comments below:
Joe Biden said the Oct. 15 presidential debate with Trump in Miami should only be staged under strict health guidelines. ‘If he still has COVID, we shouldn't have a debate,’ Biden told reporters https://t.co/Mz4OkWbMzg pic.twitter.com/r85yBRQNL7
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 7, 2020
The president tweeted on Tuesday that he is “FEELING GREAT!” He also said that he is “looking forward” to the next debate.
“It will be great!” Trump said.
FEELING GREAT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 6, 2020
I am looking forward to the debate on the evening of Thursday, October 15th in Miami. It will be great!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 6, 2020
The president’s physician Dr. Sean Conley said in a memo Tuesday afternoon, “This morning the President’s team of physicians met with him in the Residence. He had a restful first night at home, and today he reports no symptoms.”
Conley added, “Vital signs and physical exam remain stable, with an ambulatory oxygen saturation level of 95-97%. Overall he continues to do extremely well, I will provide updates as we know more.”
Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic challenger Kamala Harris will debate on Wednesday night for the first and only vice-presidential debate ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
A member of the Commission on Presidential Debates told CNN late Tuesday that Pence’s team is allowing plexiglass barriers to be put up near him. Harris has supported the idea of the plexiglass in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.
There will be two curved plexiglass barriers between Pence and Harris, and they will be 12 feet apart at the debate, according to CNN.
The vice-presidential debate follows after the first presidential debate on Sept. 29 between Trump and Biden. A few days later the president announced that he and the first lady tested positive for COVID-19. Biden and his wife, as well as Pence and his wife have tested negative since.