Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Will Next Week's Debate Go On? Biden Says It Shouldn't If Trump Still Infected
The Hill: Biden: 'We Shouldn't Have' Second Debate If Trump Still Has COVID-19
Former Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday he and President Trump should not go ahead with next week's presidential debate if Trump still has COVID-19. Biden, who clashed with Trump at a chaotic first debate last week, told reporters at an airport in Hagerstown, Md., that the pair's second scheduled faceoff should follow protocols from health officials. (Axelrod, 10/6)
The New York Times: Biden Questions Idea Of Debating Trump Next Week
Asked by reporters on Tuesday night whether he would feel safe debating Mr. Trump, who was hospitalized last week with the coronavirus, Mr. Biden responded: “I think if he still has Covid, we shouldn’t have a debate.” But Mr. Biden said his decision would be guided by the Cleveland Clinic and doctors. (10/6)
The Washington Post: Trump’s Determination To Attend Next Week’s Debate Seen As Part Of Pattern Of Recklessness
President Trump’s tweet Tuesday that he looks forward to next week’s presidential debate alarmed some medical and public health experts, who warned that his coronavirus infection might still be contagious then and could endanger others. A day after the president was discharged from a three-night hospital stay, during which he was put on an aggressive mix of treatments usually reserved for the most severe cases of covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, he continued to project an image of being fully in charge and able to conduct all of his regular activities. (Goldstein and Stead Sellers, 10/6)
The Washington Post: Coronavirus Dominates Campaign As Trump And Biden Take Vastly Different Approaches.
President Trump’s hospitalization has returned the coronavirus to the forefront of the presidential campaign, with him and Democrat Joe Biden on Tuesday promoting their dramatically divergent views on how to handle the deadly pandemic and how to approach the presidency. In the face of polls that showed a hardening of the presidential contest in Biden’s favor and suggested broadening paths for victory for the former vice president, Trump stuck with a months-old message that has found wide support among his loyalists but has turned off other voters he needs to secure a second term. (Viser and Sullivan, 10/6)
