In his first national interview since accepting his party’s nomination, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said that he would implement another shut down to help curb the coronavirus.
During an interview on ABC News, set to air on Sunday, Biden was asked if he would implement shutdown to help slow the spread of the virus, “I would be prepared to do whatever it takes to save lives.”
“Because we cannot get the country moving until we control the virus. That is the fundamental flaw of this administration’s thinking, to begin with. In order to keep the country running and moving, and the economy growing and people employed, you have to fix the virus,” he added.
When pressed again, Biden said, “I would shut it down, I would listen to the scientists.”
Watch the video below:
EXCLUSIVE: @DavidMuir and @RobinRoberts interview Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in an @ABC News Exclusive, pressing the Democratic ticket on the COVID-19 response, Pres. Trump's attacks and the fight against systemic racism. https://t.co/RVzd6LXLDl pic.twitter.com/Kegdir0dSL
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) August 22, 2020
Biden’s comments come as the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the country.
However, after a sudden surge in the number of new daily coronavirus cases in the summer — when then country continually broke records for the number of daily new cases — it appears that the spread of the virus is slowing.
But, experts warn that could change if Americans do not continue to use caution and follow the advice of public health experts. There are currently 5.6 million coronavirus cases in the country and over 175,000 deaths.