Responses From Presidential Candidates To The Coronavirus Pandemic, 2020

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2020 Presidential Election
Date: November 3, 2020
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April 7, 2020

On March 10, 2020, former Vice President Joe Biden (D) and Bernie Sanders (D) canceled their respective rallies in Cleveland, marking the first time concerns about the coronavirus led to canceled campaign events in the 2020 presidential election.[1] For roughly three months, presidential campaigns were entirely virtual operations.

This page provides an overview of coronavirus-related policy actions and statements from the presidential candidates and changes to campaign operations in the initial weeks of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States.

Click on one of the links below to jump to a candidate's statements:

  • Joe Biden
  • Bernie Sanders
  • Donald Trump

For more information about changes to presidential primary procedure and election dates in response to the coronavirus, click here.

Democratic Party Democratic candidates[edit]

Joe Biden[edit]

See also: Joe Biden presidential campaign, 2020
  • April 6, 2020: Biden spoke to Trump about the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic during a phone call. His campaign said in a statement, “Biden shared several suggestions for actions the Administration can take now to address the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and expressed his appreciation for the spirit of the American people in meeting the challenges facing the nation.”[2]
  • April 5, 2020: In an interview on ABC’s This Week on Sunday, Biden said the Democratic Party should consider holding a virtual convention. He also said Capt. Brett Crozier should have received a commendation for raising concerns about the spread of coronavirus on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. “I think it's close to criminal the way they're dealing with this guy,” Biden said.[3][4]
  • April 2, 2020: Biden called for the Trump administration to ease economic sanctions against Iran. He said in a statement, “In times of global crisis, America should lead. We should be the first to offer help to people who are hurting or in danger. That’s who we are. That’s who we’ve always been. And, in the midst of this deadly pandemic that respects no borders, the United States should take steps to offer what relief we can to those nations hardest hit by this virus — including Iran — even as we prioritize the health of the American people.”[5]
  • April 1, 2020: Biden said he believed the Democratic National Convention would have to be postponed from July to August due to the coronavirus. “And then, even then, the Republican and Democratic conventions are going to have to...be prepared for the alternative.”[6]
  • March 31, 2020: Biden released a digital ad set to play on Facebook and Instagram in battleground states. Calling medical professionals fighting coronavirus soldiers, Biden said, “As President, I wouldn't send an American soldier anywhere in the world without all the equipment and protection they need. We should not do any less for the heroes on the frontlines in this battle we're in now.”[7]
  • March 30, 2020: Biden launched a podcast called Here’s the Deal. The first episode of the show featured Biden’s conversation with Ron Klain, the Obama administration’s Ebola response coordinator.[8]
  • March 27, 2020: Biden participated in a CNN town hall, where he discussed support for a three-month rent freeze, possibly with conditions, and for the government to cover all healthcare costs related to coronavirus.[9]
  • March 26, 2020:

  • March 23, 2020: During a televised address from his Delaware home, Biden discussed Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. He said the president should have invoked the Defense Production Act to increase the production of medical supplies and active military personnel to expand healthcare services.[10]
  • March 17, 2020: Biden discussed the coronavirus pandemic and appealed to Sanders supporters during an online address.[11]
  • March 16, 2020: Biden held a virtual town hall with former surgeon general Vivek Murthy.[12]
  • March 12, 2020: Biden gave a speech about the coronavirus and his plan to address the outbreak. He called for free testing, development of a vaccine, paid sick leave, and aid for affected communities, among other policies.[13] The Biden campaign also instructed staff to work remotely.[14]
  • March 11, 2020: Biden announced he was indefinitely suspending large crowd gatherings in response to the coronavirus. He said he would host virtual events, instead.[15] He also formed a Public Health Advisory Committee to counsel his campaign on health risks to his staff and supporters.[16]
  • March 10, 2020: Biden and Sanders canceled their respective rallies in Cleveland for public health and safety. It was the first time concerns about the coronavirus led to canceled campaign rallies this election cycle.[1]

Bernie Sanders[edit]

See also: Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, 2020
  • April 6, 2020: Sanders criticized the Wisconsin Supreme Court for blocking Gov. Tony Evers’ order to postpone in-person voting in the state until June 9. He said his campaign would not conduct traditional GOTV activities in Wisconsin due to public health concerns. “Let’s be clear: holding this election amid the coronavirus outbreak is dangerous, disregards the guidance of public health experts, and may very well prove deadly,” he said in a statement.[17]
  • April 3, 2020: Sanders released his "Priorities for the Next Coronavirus Relief Package”, which included monthly direct payments of $2,000 to every person in the United States regardless of immigration status. He also called for guaranteed paid medical and sick leave for all workers and hazard pay for essential and frontline workers. He said the Defense Production Act should be used for the production of personal protective equipment. Sanders also called for canceling all student loan payments and suspending monthly payments like rent, mortgages, medical debt, and consumer debt collection.[18]
  • April 2, 2020:

  • April 1, 2020: Sanders called for Wisconsin to postpone its April 7 primary. He said early voting should be extended and the election should move to be entirely vote-by-mail.[19]
  • March 31, 2020: Sanders sent a letter to the United States Postal Service on Tuesday requesting information on how the agency is protecting letter carriers, instituting social distancing measures, and prioritizing the delivery of emergency supplies.[20]
  • March 30, 2020: Sanders hosted a virtual roundtable on the coronavirus with Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Rev. William J. Barber II, journalist Sonia Shah, and academic Cornel West.[21]
  • March 28, 2020:

  • March 27, 2020: Sanders co-signed a letter with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and 12 other U.S. representatives to Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, asking what the company was doing to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus.[22]
  • March 25, 2020: Sanders voted to pass the $2 trillion coronavirus spending bill. He said of the bill, "We’ve got to think in a very, very bold way. And while this bill did not go anywhere near as far as I thought it should go, what it did do is expand unemployment benefits in a way that has never taken place before.”[23]
  • March 24, 2020: Sanders and several other members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin calling for the suspension of sanctions on Iran amid the coronavirus.[24]
  • March 22, 2020: Sanders held a virtual roundtable on the health and economic consequences of the coronavirus with Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.).[25] He also announced that his campaign had raised more than $2 million in 48 hours to support charities working to combat the coronavirus.[26]
  • March 17, 2020: Sanders called for every U.S. household to receive a monthly payment of $2,000 during the coronavirus pandemic.[27]
  • March 12, 2020: The Sanders campaign instructed its staff to work remotely.[14] Sanders also gave a speech about the coronavirus, saying there should be a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, guaranteed unemployment insurance, and free access to treatment.[28]
  • March 10, 2020: Sanders and Biden canceled their respective rallies in Cleveland for public health and safety. It was the first time concerns about the coronavirus led to canceled campaign rallies this election cycle.[1]

Republican Party Republican candidates[edit]

Donald Trump[edit]

See also: Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2020

For a complete overview of federal policy changes made in response to the coronavirus pandemic, click here.

  • April 6, 2020: Trump spoke to Biden about the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic during a phone call.[2] During his briefing, Trump discussed the Paycheck Protection Program and said 3M would produce 166,000 face masks for frontline healthcare workers.[29]
  • April 4, 2020: Trump said the NFL season should begin in September as usual during a conference call with officials from major sports leagues.[30]
  • April 2, 2020: During the daily coronavirus task force daily briefing, Trump and his team discussed supply chain issues for masks, ventilators, and other medical supplies. Trump also tested negative for the coronavirus for a second time.[31]
  • April 1, 2020: Trump campaign director of communications Tim Murtaugh discussed campaign strategy with surrogates. According to NBC News, Murtaugh said, “This is the bottom line: President Trump is leading the nation in this war against the coronavirus, and Joe Biden, the Democrats and the media have decided to be the opposition in that war.”[32]
  • March 31, 2020: Trump and the White House’s coronavirus task force discussed medical supplies and the projected mortality rate during a daily press conference. The task force said an estimated 100,000 to 240,000 Americans could die from the coronavirus compared to 2.2 million without any countermeasures.[33] The Trump administration said it would not reopen Healthcare.gov for a special enrollment period.[34]
  • March 30, 2020: During his daily press briefing, Trump said more than 1 million Americans were tested for the coronavirus. Social distancing guidelines, which were set to expire, were extended until April 30.
  • March 27, 2020: Trump signed a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package and invoked the Defense Production Act in ordering General Motors to increase its production of ventilators.[35][36] Trump also requested that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issue a travel advisory urging residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut not to travel domestically for 14 days unless necessary due to the spread of coronavirus in these states.[37]
  • March 25, 2020: The Trump campaign sent cease-and-desist letters to television stations regarding a Priorities USA ad that criticized Trump's statements about the coronavirus.[38] He also tweeted the following:

  • March 24, 2020: Trump and the White House's coronavirus task force participated in a Fox News virtual town hall, where Trump said he hoped to have people back to work by Easter.[39]
  • March 22, 2020: Trump said he would activate the U.S. National Guard for New York, Washington, and California—the states with the largest coronavirus outbreaks.[40]
  • March 17, 2020: During a briefing, Trump discussed economic stimulus initiatives, including deferring IRS payments and possibly sending checks to every American.[41]
  • March 15, 2020: Trump and his administration’s task force on the coronavirus discussed preventive health and travel measures and the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates to zero.[42]
  • March 14, 2020: The White House announced Trump had tested negative for the coronavirus.[43]
  • March 11, 2020: Trump canceled campaign events in Colorado, Nevada, and Wisconsin due to coronavirus concerns.[44]

See also[edit]

  • Ballotpedia: Political responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
  • Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
  • Federal government responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Axios, "Sanders, Biden campaigns cancel Cleveland rallies over coronavirus concerns," March 10, 2020
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 CNBC, "Joe Biden speaks to Trump on Monday about US coronavirus response," April 6, 2020
  3. ↑ CNN, "Joe Biden says Democrats 'should be thinking about' holding a virtual summer convention," April 5, 2020
  4. ↑ NBC News, "Biden says removal of Navy captain who sounded alarm on coronavirus 'close to criminal'," April 5, 2020
  5. ↑ The Hill, "Biden calls for sanctions relief for Iran during coronavirus pandemic," April 2, 2020
  6. ↑ The Hill, "Biden expects Democratic convention to be delayed until August," April 2, 2020
  7. ↑ CNN, "Biden makes pitch as an empathetic leader in new digital ad," March 31, 2020
  8. ↑ Joe Biden, "Here's the Deal," accessed April 1, 2020
  9. ↑ CNN, "5 takeaways from Joe Biden's CNN town hall on the coronavirus response," March 27, 2020
  10. ↑ CBS News, "Biden begins broadcasting from in-home studio in response to coronavirus crisis," March 23, 2020
  11. ↑ NBC News, "March 17 Democratic primaries live updates: Biden sweeps Sanders as coronavirus casts shadow over vote," March 18, 2020
  12. ↑ Yahoo News, "Sanders, Biden Hold Virtual Events on Vote Eve: Campaign Update," March 17, 2020
  13. ↑ Vox, "Joe Biden’s coronavirus plan, explained," March 12, 2020
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 CNN, "Staffers on top presidential campaigns told to work from home due to coronavirus pandemic," March 12, 2020
  15. ↑ The Denver Channel, "Joe Biden suspends campaign events amid coronavirus spread," March 11, 2020
  16. ↑ CNBC, "Joe Biden campaign announces new coronavirus committee to provide counsel as pandemic fears escalate," March 11, 2020
  17. ↑ Axios, "Wisconsin Supreme Court blocks governor from delaying state's primary," April 6, 2020
  18. ↑ Bernie Sanders, "Priorities for the Next Coronavirus Relief Package," April 3, 2020
  19. ↑ NPR, "Sanders Calls On Wisconsin To Delay Election As Governor Calls Up National Guard," April 1, 2020
  20. ↑ Bernie Sanders, Letter to Postmaster General Megan Brennan," March 31, 2020
  21. ↑ Twitter, "Bernie Sanders," March 30, 2020
  22. ↑ Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senate, "Letter to Mr. Jeff Bezos," March 27, 2020
  23. ↑ 1A, "Sen. Bernie Sanders On Congress And The Coronavirus Pandemic," March 26, 2020
  24. ↑ The Globe Post, "UN Urges Easing of Sanctions on Iran, Others Facing Virus," March 24, 2020
  25. ↑ Bernie Sanders' YouTube Channel, "AOC, Omar, Tlaib, and Bernie on Coronavirus: Live Roundtable," March 22, 2020
  26. ↑ The Hill, "Sanders raises over $2 million for coronavirus relief effort," March 21, 2020
  27. ↑ CNBC, "Bernie Sanders calls for monthly $2,000 payment to every US household during coronavirus crisis," March 17, 2020
  28. ↑ Politico, "Sanders warns of coronavirus ‘meltdown’ on par with World War II," March 12, 2020
  29. ↑ White House, "Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing," April 6, 2020
  30. ↑ Golf Channel, "President Donald Trump hosts call with sports officials, including PGA, LPGA tours," April 4, 2020
  31. ↑ The Washington Post, "What you should know from Thursday's White House coronavirus briefing," April 2, 2020
  32. ↑ NBC News, "Trump campaign tells surrogates to paint Biden as 'the opposition' in coronavirus war," April 1, 2020
  33. ↑ NPR, "Coronavirus Task Force Details 'Sobering' Data Behind Its Extended Guidelines," March 31, 2020
  34. ↑ Politico, "Trump rejects Obamacare special enrollment period amid pandemic," March 31, 2020
  35. ↑ CNBC, "Trump signs $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill as the US tries to prevent economic devastation," March 27, 2020
  36. ↑ Roll Call, "Trump invokes Defense Production Act," March 27, 2020
  37. ↑ NBC New York, "CDC Issues 14-Day Travel Advisory for New York, New Jersey, Connecticut," March 28, 2020
  38. ↑ The Week, "Trump campaign issues cease-and-desist letters over ad highlighting Trump's coronavirus response," March 26, 2020
  39. ↑ Fox News' YouTube, "Trump, Coronavirus task force participate in Fox News town hall," March 24, 2020
  40. ↑ The Washington Post, "Trump activates National Guard in three states in response to coronavirus pandemic; Canadian Olympic Committee says it will not send team to Tokyo Games in 2020," March 22, 2020
  41. ↑ 6ABC, "Coronavirus stimulus bill: President Trump wants to send Americans checks 'in next 2 weeks,' Treasury Secretary Mnuchin says," March 17, 2020
  42. ↑ USA Today, "Don't go to gatherings of over 50 people, CDC warns; Trump task force says 'worst' is yet to come with coronavirus," March 16, 2020
  43. ↑ CNN, "Trump tests negative for coronavirus, White House says," March 14, 2020
  44. ↑ Politico, "Trump cancels Nevada, Colorado, Wisconsin campaign events as coronavirus spreads," March 11, 2020
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