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Campaign debates

COVID-19 Outbreak Forces Debate Commission to Enhance Safety Measures

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Commission on Presidential Debates and medical consultants at the Cleveland Clinic have taken extraordinary measures to ensure a safe debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, amidst a growing coronavirus outbreak at the White House. The decision comes after Pence attended a Rose Garden event over a week ago that is widely seen as the genesis for the spread among several Trump aides and allies. Despite the vice president testing negative for the virus, the debate will feature enhanced safety protocols, including a 12-foot, 8-inch separation between Pence and Harris.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Commission on Presidential Debates has taken measures to enhance safety protocols for the vice presidential debate, including a 12-foot, 8-inch separation between Pence and Harris.
  • The Cleveland Clinic, working with both presidential campaigns and the commission, has advised on medical decisions surrounding the debate.
  • Pence and Harris will be required to wear masks during the debate, and attendees will be required to wear masks in the audience.
  • The debate commission has considered alternative arrangements, including moving the debate to a fully virtual forum, due to concerns over Pence's health and CDC guidelines on isolation after a COVID-19 diagnosis.
  • Contingencies for Trump-Biden debates have been informally discussed, but no formal plans have been made, pending Trump's health status.
  • Pence's team has responded to the decision with mockery, with Pence spokeswoman Katie Miller stating "If Sen. Harris wants to use a fortress around herself, have at it."
  • Health experts have expressed concerns over Pence's decision to go ahead with the debate, citing the risk of transmission to Harris, the Secret Service detail, and others at the event.
  • Erin Bromage, associate professor of biology at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, stated that a 12-foot, 8-inch separation may not be enough, and that the air environment surrounding the debate should also be considered to ensure safety.
  • The debate remains on, with both teams operating under the assumption that the debate will proceed as planned.

Statistics:

  • 12 feet, 8 inches: the distance between Pence and Harris at the debate
  • 10 days: the minimum isolation period according to CDC guidelines for someone who has contracted COVID-19
  • 24 hours: the minimum time after fever subsides without fever-reducing medication that someone can be considered safe to return to their duties
  • 5: The number of positive coronavirus tests at the White House

Sources:

  • "Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris will be separated by acrylic glass at Wednesday night's debate," a source familiar with the preparations tells CNN.
  • "The commission, along with medical consultants at the Cleveland Clinic, made the decision on Monday after studying the airborne nature of the virus and as the number of positive cases in the White House continued to grow," a source familiar with the preparations tells CNN.
  • "Katie Miller, Pence's spokeswoman, told CNN that 'If Sen. Harris wants to use a fortress around herself, have at it,'" as reported by CNN.
  • "Erin Bromage, associate professor of biology at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, said 'I would hope that the people organizing this debate are not only focused on distance but also the quality of the air environment to ensure that it is safe from a transmission point of view,'" as reported by CNN.
  • A statement from the Cleveland Clinic: "Based on what we know about the virus and the safety measures we had in place, we believe there is low risk of exposure to our guests."

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