Biden says 2020 convention may be 'virtual,' will wear mask in public amid COVID-19 outbreak
From ABCNEWS.GO.COM
Former Vice President Joe Biden said Sunday on ABC's "This Week" the recently delayed Democratic Convention will have to happen, but conceded that it may need to be held virtually if the novel coronavirus continues to pose a public health threat by mid-August.
"Well, we're going to have to do a convention. We may have to do a virtual convention. I think we should be thinking about that right now. The idea of holding the convention is going to be necessary. We may not be able to put 10, 20, 30,000 people in one place and that's very possible. Again let's see where it is -- and what we do between now and then is going to dictate a lot of that as well. But my point is that I think you just got to follow the science," Biden told ABC News' Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos.
The decision to delay the convention, originally scheduled for mid-July came after Biden publicly suggested the date be moved back to August as the coronavirus pandemic continues to keep the majority of the American public at home, and the likely Democratic nominee off the campaign trail.
Biden has remained at his Willmington, Delaware, home, following the guidance of a stay-at-home order put in place by the state's governor, and said Sunday morning that he would be heeding the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by wearing a mask the next time he goes out in public as a way to mitigate his risk of contracting COVID-19.
"Yes. Look, I think it's important to follow the science, listen to the experts do what they tell you," Biden said. "He may not like how he looks in a mask but the truth of the matter is that -- follow the science. That's what they're telling us. So if I go out in public, and I have not gone to commercial places of late I haven't gone to my local church ... but my generic point is that you should follow the science."
Biden's comments come as the likely Democratic nominee has struggled to compete with Trump's "bully pulpit" amid the coronavirus crisis.
The former vice president also slammed the decision to relieve Navy Capt. Brett Crozier, commander of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, after he raised concerns over an outbreak of COVID-19 on his ship. BIden had previously criticized Crozier's dismissal as sending a "chilling message" to the rest of the fleet.
"It's close to criminal the way they're dealing with this guy," Biden said Sunday. "The idea that this man stood up and said what had to be said, got it out that his troops, his Navy personnel were in danger. ... Look how many have the virus. I think...he should have a commendation rather than be fired." Biden said ... (Read more)
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