Symone Sanders, a senior campaign adviser for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s campaign, is revealing why the former vice president did not initially call for a travel ban, social distancing, or masks during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sanders told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos that Biden was not being provided with the appropriate information to make those suggestions.
“In January and February, Joe Biden was not being briefed by national security experts who warned him how deadly the virus was. In January and February, Joe Biden did not have the knowledge that President Trump did,” Sanders said.
She continued, “But I will tell you that if Joe Biden were president in January or February, he would have taken proper precautions, he would have warned the American people. He would have told folks to social distance. He would model good behavior and wearing a mask.”
Check out her remarks below:
Pressed on why Biden did not call for a travel ban, social distancing or masks in Jan. or Feb., Symone Sanders tells @GStephanopoulos Biden wasn't “briefed by national security experts” as Trump was, but would have taken “proper precautions” as president. https://t.co/6pdvKcRdak pic.twitter.com/dEcp5IRMH6
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) September 13, 2020
She reiterated it was the president who had the information necessary to make a difference not only in January and February but also in the present day.
Sanders expressed her concern for parents sending their children to school, parents working from home and attempting to set up childcare, and employees of grocery stores and other person to person services who do not have adequate personal protection equipment.
“So, it is Donald Trump here that has failed the American people,” Sanders said.
Biden has repeatedly criticized Trump for his coronavirus response.
He recently weighed in on reports of Trump concealing the threat of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year, as IJR previously reported.
“He waved a white flag; he walked away. He didn’t do a damn thing. Think about it. Think about what he did not do. It’s almost criminal,” Biden said during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on Thursday.