Trump supporters are excited to go to his rallies and have little concern about getting the coronavirus from the large gatherings.
“If I could get to go and get in, I would go. I have been to one of his rallies, and it is infectious (now literally and figuratively),” Bernadette, a 65-year-old Trump supporter living in Tennessee, told the Washington Examiner.
“Absolutely,” Debbra Hunt, a 51-year-old Trump supporter from California, said when asked if she would attend a rally with the coronavirus still around. If people can go to protests, she believes, people can go to Trump rallies.
President Trump’s rally in Tulsa was considered a disappointment after Trump bragged about 1 million people registering for tickets, but only 6,200 people showed up. Some have suggested that this disappointment was the result of people’s fear of the coronavirus.
However, some supporters are not only willing to go to a rally but are waiting for the Trump campaign to announce when there will be a rally in their state. “I’m waiting for him to announce where in NC [North Carolina] he will be having a rally and I’m going,” 22-year-old Nico Parisi said.
Despite the eagerness of some to get to a Trump rally, 66% of those polled would not be comfortable attending an event with many people, an NBC News/Wall Street Journal analysis found. Only 17% of people feel “very comfortable” in large crowds.
Some supporters are not concerned about the virus but are worried about protesters. “I think a lot are willing to go. However, I think there is a huge number of supporters who can’t or aren’t willing to go into the cities where they will come in contact with protestors/rioters,” said Tonya, a 36-year-old from Georgia.
Tim Murtaugh, one of Trump’s campaign spokesmen, blamed the low turnout at the Tulsa rally on “radical protesters” and the media. “Sadly, protesters interfered with supporters, even blocking access to the metal detectors, which prevented people from entering the rally. Radical protesters, coupled with a relentless onslaught from the media, attempted to frighten off the president’s supporters. We are proud of the thousands who stuck it out,” Murtaugh said.
“Not everyone there was for Trump, though. Some looked like they were waiting to protest, wearing masks and dark and warm clothing even though it was over 90 degrees,” Christine told the Washington Examiner. She tried to go into the arena for the Tulsa rally, “but with all the chaos, I couldn’t get in.”
Christine said she didn’t see many older people there, but more middle-aged people between their 40s and 60s. None of her friends were concerned about the virus who wanted to go. “I had two friends that requested tickets and a couple family members who wanted to go and backed out, concerned about press and safety, not COVID,” she said.
Supporters had mixed reactions when asked what type of precautions the Trump campaign should take at the rally for the virus, such as holding the rallies outside, requiring masks, or trying to distance people from each other.
There is no more of a concern about getting the virus at a grocery store or work then at a Trump rally, Tonya told the Washington Examiner. “I don’t think outside or inside makes a difference. I also believe it’s up to the elderly and everyone else if they want to be there with or without a mask.”
Everyone knows the risk of entering a large crowd. Still, it would be wise to take everyone’s temperature before entering the rally, Tonya said. If mayors and governors allowed protests without masks or keeping people 6 feet apart, they shouldn’t make a big deal about masks and social distancing for rallies.
The virus shouldn’t be a concern when considering going to a rally, and more at-risk people for the virus shouldn’t be told not to go, Hunt said. “I would say, hey, if you’re sick, stay home, but I would say that no matter the illness. Adults know the risk. If they want to go, then go.”
“I’m 22 years old, so I have no fear whatsoever,” said Parisi. “I don’t mind if I get it because then I’ll have antibodies. I’m not going to die from it, statistically speaking, so I’m not worried.”
Parisi would recommend that at-risk people and the elderly not go to a rally. “I would not worry about a mask or social distance if you are a young, healthy individual. If you plan on coming into contact with elderly people, it would be better to wear a mask,” he said.
Older people, who make up a significant portion of Trump’s base, are more at risk for severe illness from the coronavirus. Others in danger of more severe health consequences from the virus are those with lung problems, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, weakened immune systems, and chronic kidney or liver disease.
“I would wear a mask and take the risk,” Bernadette said. However, she believes people at serious risk of getting ill from the virus should stay home, prefer if the rallies were held outside, and believe that masks should be mandatory in such a large gathering.
“It’s best for people to decide for themselves” if they want to go to a rally, said Hannah, a 38-year-old from Texas. “A Trump rally is safer than any protest or riot or march that I’ve seen.”
