Over 30,000 COVID-19 cases and 700 deaths have been linked to Donald Trump’s election campaign rallies.
What We Know:
- Stanford University’s economics department released a report examining the COVID-19 infection rates where Trump held his campaign rallies.
- The report looked at 18 locations where the rallies took place between June 20th and September 30th. It also compared counties with similar COVID-19 case trajectories pre-rally to the 18 counties where the rallies took place.
- Researchers traced the effects of a Trump rallygoer. The research found that rallygoers started a chain and transmitted the virus from person to person. While not all cases were attendees at the rally, all cases could be traced back to someone from the rally.
- Growth in the counties where the rallies took place varied, but there was a noticeable growth in the counties with rallies versus those who didn’t.
- According to the report, the rallies “ultimately resulted in more than 30,000 incremental confirmed cases of COVID-19” and “likely led to more than 700 deaths”. The study also claims the deaths would not have happened if the event had not taken place.
- The event had precautions in place; they were only so useful. Attendees were required to pass a temperature check and were given hand sanitizer and face masks. However, wearing a mask was optional and social distancing was not strongly enforced. Some of the events were even held inside, furthering the risk of transmission.
While more factors could contribute to the rising cases, no reading from the research found that the rally did not affect the rising of COVID-19 infections.
