Biden Wishes Trump a 'Quick and Full Recovery' in Michigan

Democrat Joe Biden called President Donald Trump’s diagnosis of Covid-19 a “bracing reminder” that Americans need to take the virus seriously, using the news to strengthen his calls for protective measures like masks and social distancing.

Biden, speaking outdoors through a surgical mask at an event with United Food and Commercial Workers International union members in Michigan, acknowledged the illness that struck Trump and his wife, Melania, and said he was “sending my prayers.”

He then reiterated his calls to follow scientists’ advice, and said he canceled a voter mobilization event in Michigan Friday that was to be indoors, because doctors recommended against it given the expected crowd size.

“We need to take the science of fighting this disease seriously if we’re going to save lives and above all the news is a reminder that we, as a nation, need to do better in dealing with this pandemic,” Biden said.

“We can save 100,000 lives in the next 100 days if everyone wears a mask in public. So be patriotic. It’s not about being a tough guy, it’s about doing your part,” he said.

Biden’s departure for Michigan had been delayed while the campaign awaited his latest test. Biden said he took two Covid-19 detection tests on Friday and both came back negative.

“Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden underwent PCR testing for Covid-19 today and Covid-19 was not detected,” Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the Bidens’ physician, said in a statement released by the campaign.

News of Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis shook the Biden campaign as his staff rushed to ensure safety while mapping out the coming weeks.

Biden has maintained a persistent lead of about 7 points in national polling and in key battleground states. It’s not yet clear how Trump’s illness will affect the campaign. Trump has canceled all public events for him and his family temporarily

The Biden camp only heard about Trump’s diagnosis through media reports and has had no communication with the president’s campaign, according to a person familiar with the matter.

A top Biden aide expressed anger and frustration about the Trump campaign’s refusal to adhere to public health guidance about wearing masks and social distancing at the debate in Cleveland on Tuesday.

And Friday’s negative result does not guarantee Biden is clear. It can take days to develop enough of the coronavirus for a test to detect it.

“If he tests negative by let’s say Sunday or Monday morning, I would feel confident he’s mostly safe,” said Howard Forman, professor of public health at Yale University.

Linsey Marr, an engineering professor and airborne virus transmission expert at Virginia Tech, says there’s “definitely” a chance Biden was exposed to the coronavirus. The small droplets people produce when they talk behave more like cigarette smoke, meaning they can float in the air for minutes or hours, traveling farther than six feet.

A Biden campaign official said the candidate was taking necessary precautions. The official said that Biden was not in close contact with Trump and noted that he wore a mask at all times he was at the debate, except when he was on stage.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Biden campaign enforces requirements for social distancing and mask wearing at all events.

Vice presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris tested negative Friday and was en route to planned events in Las Vegas, Nevada. She did not attend the presidential debate and hasn’t been around Trump or his staff.

Jen O’Malley Dillon, Biden’s campaign manager, sent an all-staff email early Friday, possibly to prevent any gloating about the opponent, telling staff to “refrain from posting about the situation on social media unless otherwise directed by your manager.”

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[phoenixstormjr.]

I would've never thought he would say this.

[ryanwatt]

this is why ill always respect joe biden

[CAPTAINBAZOOKA-wnby]

i don't agree with this i will take my hat off to him for those kind

[newportislandjim]

Given the fact that Trump now has Covid and Pence has been around Trump often during the last couple of weeks, Kamala Harris has to be very careful about being in the same room as Pence. We know that Covid aerosols travel farther than six feet and can linger in the air for hours. Pence wants to be seven feet away from Harris during the debate -- not a wise idea. They may need to be in separate rooms or booths with separate air supplies. We should look into all of Pence's contacts with Trump and all those surrounding Trump in the last two weeks and up until the debate. Photos and videos would be helpful in determining distance from potential Covid carriers. We need Biden and Harris healthy. They have a big mess to clean up. They need to get Americans and our economy healthy again. If another Biden-Trump debate is to occur in the future, America would be best served by a mute button to keep candidates from shouting over each other so we can actually hear answers to the questions. I know some people were very happy today because Trump got Covid. They feel less Americans will get sick if Trump can't continue to promote unhealthy nonscientific policies in dealing with this pandemic. But we all need to wish him and his family good health and a speedy recovery.

[neldlcrz]

Don't you think he was sincere?
Opponent never get sincere all the time. He might be thinking diversely.

[turnip]

He may not be able to express himself very well, but he's a good man and was a very capable senator back in the day. I still remember his comments on the Falklands Conflict and he was very well-spoken. We must end these personal attacks against politicians on both sides, and instead look at their qualities as leaders and potential leaders of a country with a lot of might. At heart, we are all Americans and division is the last thing we want. 🙏