Republicans came under fire after the President of the United States contracted COVID-19 and it now appears to be the Democrats turn. A statement from the Biden campaign details how U.S. Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ travel plans over the weekend were canceled following a positive case of the virus within her staff.
What We Know:
- It was reported that Harris tested negative for COVID-19 on Wednesday and there are plans for her to get tested one more time on Thursday. Her previous travel schedule, which has been referred to as aggressive, is not on hold. This puts an early stop to her campaigning only two weeks away from the U.S general election between President Donald Trump and her running mate Joe Biden.
- Her first stop was going to be an appearance on Thursday in a well-known battleground state, North Carolina, where early voting has recently commenced. President Trump, who has allegedly been recovering after contracting the virus himself, is set to campaign in that state that day as well.
- The Biden campaign stated it became aware of the spreading infection late Wednesday. The communications director for Harris, Liz Allen, and another unnamed flight crew member tested positive for COVID-19. These are some of the same individuals who traveled with the vice-presidential nominee on a campaign trip to Arizona just the past week.
Sen. Harris wore an N-95 mask during the flight, which had two people who have since tested positive for covid.
She has tested negative twice, most recently yesterday, and will be tested again today.
— Matt Viser (@mviser) October 15, 2020
- The Biden campaign also told reporters what they said in a statement, that Harris was not in direct contact with either of the two infected people during their travels, even days prior to their current diagnosis. Harris practiced proper health procedures and wore a mask during the flight she shared with Allen and the crew member. It’s worthy to note that they both tested negative before and after the flight, so spread didn’t seem likely in that scenario.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has thrashed the United States as it remains the country with the largest case and death count of any in the world. In regards to the 2020 presidential race, both parties, especially Democrats, have boosted efforts towards virtual campaigning, fundraising, and promoted methods of voting that will help stop the virus from infecting more people.
- President Trump and the first lady Melania Trump contracted the virus earlier this month which ended up halting various campaign rallies, which despite the ongoing pandemic, has drawn considerably large crowds that more often than not ignored health safety guidelines. He has since then continued to travel after he was discharged from the hospital and arrived back at the White House.
As of late, the Biden campaign has also said that Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff, canceled any events Thursday, but plan to continue moving forward on Friday. Emhoff and Harris have tested negative multiple times.
