CDC: Pence can attend Wednesday’s debate

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Dr. Robert Redfield of the CDC released a memo on Tuesday evening stating Vice President Mike Pence is COVID-19 free and can join Wednesday’s vice presidential debate.
• The Commission on Presidential Debates planned to put a plexiglass barrier to separate Pence and Senator Kamala Harris (Calif.), which was contested by the vice president’s camp.
• Pence is being tested daily for the virus and has continuously remained negative.

Vice President Mike Pence is safe to attend the upcoming vice presidential debate on Wednesday, according to the Tuesday memo issued by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Robert Redfield ⏤ even though several infected cases of coronavirus at the White House have erupted.

Redfield released the memo after speaking with Pence’s doctor, confirming that the vice president is in good condition and does not pose a risk, hence he could participate in the debate with Democratric’s vice presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris (Calif.).

“The CDC had a consultation with White House physician, Dr. Jesse Shonau, regarding the Vice President’s possible exposure to persons with COVID-19. Based on the description of the movements of the Vice President from Dr. Shonau, the Vice President is not a close contact of any known persons with COVID-19, including the President,” the director wrote.

Redfield mentioned the agency’s guidance, stating that a close contact is someone who was within 6 feet of an infected individual for at least 15 minutes beginning two days from the start of illness.

“After a detailed discussion with Dr. Shonau about his investigation and the serial negative testing results of the Vice President, the CDC concludes from a public health standpoint, it is safe for the Vice President to participate in the upcoming Vice-Presidential debate,” Redfield wrote.

On September 26, Pence took part at the White House ceremony in Rose Garden where President Donald Trump declared Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

Several attendees have tested positive for COVID-19: Trump and first lady Melania, Senators Mike Lee (Utah) and Thom Tillis (N.C.), Kellyanne Conway, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R).

Lee and Tillis, who did not test positive until a couple of days after, were sitting behind Pence during the event. After the September 26 event, both the president and the vice president did not have much close contact since both were traveling, and even as Trump tested positive.

Redfield’s interference is the latest move as both Pence and Harris’ camps continuously tangled about safety protocols regarding Wednesday’s debate.

The Commission on Presidential Debates proposed to place a plexiglass barrier to separate the candidates, which Pence’s team did not agree on.

Pence is being tested on a daily basis and has remained negative. He landed in Utah on Monday ahead of Wednesday’s debate.

CDC’s involvement with the debate could earn some backlash given that it has faced other issues amid the coronavirus outbreak. In addition, Trump’s behavior has been at odds with Redfield’s pandemic protocols.

Source: The Hill