Vice President Mike Pence and 2020 Democratic vice-president nominee Kamala Harris will meet next week for their highly anticipated debate, despite President Trump and first lady Melania Trump testing positive for COVID-19.
Officials from the White House, the Commission on Presidential Debates, and the University of Utah have indicated the pair’s one and only meeting will proceed on Wednesday in Salt Lake City.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s campaign, though, is lobbying organizers to ensure the two-term vice president’s running mate is at least 7 to 14 feet away from Pence and moderator Susan Page, USA Today‘s Washington bureau chief, PBS reported. Biden’s team is also pushing the commission to enforce COVID-19 precautions, including mask-wearing.
Pence and Harris both tested negative for the virus after President Trump revealed his diagnosis early Friday morning, and that the first couple was self-isolating. White House physician Dr. Jesse Schonau issued a statement Friday afternoon that Pence didn’t have to quarantine because he was not considered “a close contact” of Trump, according to the Centers for Disease Control guidance.
“Vice President Mike Pence remains in good health and is free to go about his normal activities,” Schonau wrote.
Bill Stepien, Trump’s campaign manager, announced all of his candidate’s appearances would be postponed or moved online, as would those slated to be hosted by his family.
“Vice President Mike Pence, who has tested negative for COVID-19, plans on resuming his scheduled campaign events,” he said.
Biden and Harris returned to the trail Friday following Delaware’s 36-year senator testing negative for COVID-19 as well. Biden flew to Michigan, while Harris, a sitting California senator, is due to make in-person stops in Nevada.
Trump and Biden were together Tuesday in Cleveland for their opening debate before the Nov. 3 election. The nominees were tested before their 90-minute meeting on stage and didn’t shake hands ahead of taking their place behind their respective podiums spaced 12 feet apart. Audience members were supposed to wear masks, but many didn’t, even after being asked by doctors from the Cleveland Clinic, the host site.
