Lawmakers are hopeful the coronavirus global outbreak will subside by the Republican and Democratic national conventions this summer.
The every-four-year events, with Democrats meeting in Milwaukee July 13-16 and Republicans in Charlotte, North Carolina, Aug. 26-29, will feature tens of thousands of people milling about and gathered in tight quarters. That’s just the kind of environment most prone to spread the virus, according to public health officials.
The Summer Olympics, meanwhile, are set to take place in Tokyo July 24 to Aug. 9.
“You know, if this is from human to human contact up three months, down three months, we’re talking about somewhere between June to September and God willing, that’s all, and that includes the conventions,” Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat and Senate minority whip, told reporters Tuesday. “So I haven’t heard one word yet about the prospect of conventions, and the Japanese are obviously thinking about the Olympics, which would be during the same time frame, and that’s far in the future. And, as I said, I don’t want to be pessimistic and overreact, but we have to be thoughtful about this.”
Both the Republican and Democratic conventions hosted tens of thousands of people at their respective events in 2016, and each say they will take necessary steps to keep attendees safe.
“Our number one concern is to ensure all eligible voters are able to make their voices heard without jeopardizing anyone’s health and safety. We will continue to closely monitor as the situation develops,” DNC spokesperson Maya Hixon told the Washington Examiner in an e-mail statement.
That comes as Democrats in Washington state, reportedly the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, told the Washington Examiner the virus affected their state party activities, including the March 10 presidential primaries.
“Our State Party’s awards dinner (which was to have included all the presidential candidates) has been rescheduled, but so far nothing affecting delegates. That may change, however, depending on developments,” said Washington state DNC member Nancy Monacelli. “While our primary to set candidate preferences will be held next Tuesday, the 10th, that is not a concern as we are a 100% vote-by-mail state. However, the caucus process to select the actual delegates begins in late April and runs through the state convention in June.”
And a Republican National Convention spokeswoman told the Washington Examiner they’re taking precautions, as well.
“The convention team is closely monitoring and coordinating with key stakeholders across the Administration, HHS and CDC to obtain regular updates,” said the RNC spokesman. “We prioritize the health and safety of attendees and have the utmost confidence in the Administration’s work and preparations.”
The current confirmed death toll from the coronavirus infection in the United States has risen to nine, but over 80,000 people worldwide have been infected by the virus which originated in China’s Hubei province last December.
The global death rate is heading toward 3,000 on six continents, leading governments around the world to order the shutdown of schools and tourist attractions like the Louvre in Paris and Disneyland in Tokyo.
However, in the U.S., despite calls to cancel the annual upcoming March 13 South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, where thousands of people are expected to attend, organizers and health department officials say there are no plans to cancel the event.
On Capitol Hill, many members of Congress, their staffs, press, and visitors from all over the world congregate on a daily basis. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters Tuesday there will be a meeting Wednesday to discuss how the coronavirus outbreak in the Capitol could affect all the people who visit and work in the Congress.
The Capitol’s office of the Sergeant at Arms informed the Washington Examiner they are working with the Office of Attending Physician “to monitor the situation and will work with Leadership to take any necessary steps based on the guidance provided by federal, state and local health authorities.”
“I think that people are certainly watching it. But I think the attending physician probably has in a preparatory fashion, like any physician or public health officer who manages a large campus, looked at some kind of long term plan if we need it,” said Sen. Shelly Moore Capito.
Sen Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, said he will address the issues of potential outbreaks at large gatherings in the U.S. at an upcoming hearing.
The World Health Organization released a document last month outlining key planning deliberations for organizers of mass gatherings in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak.
WHO cautions, “There is ample evidence that mass gatherings can amplify the spread of infectious diseases. The transmission of respiratory infections, including influenza, has been frequently associated with mass gatherings. Such infections can be transmitted during a mass gathering, during transit to and from the event, and in participants’ home communities upon their return.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Center for Disease Control and did not receive a response.
