Coronavirus Disclaimer: Trump not liable for health risks of Oklahoma rally attendees

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• President Donald Trump’s campaign will officially resume on June 19 at Tulsa, Oklahoma and his campaign team have advised attendees to waive their rights in suing Trump and the organizers if they get infected with COVID-19 during the event.
• The disclaimer, found at the bottom of the registration page for the rally, says that attendees bear all responsibility if they catch the coronavirus.
• Trump’s campaign event turned out to be controversial because the location and the date were related to a history of slavery and the deaths of hundreds of black people.

President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign is set to start again next week, but participants have to waive their rights to hold his campaign accountable should they get infected with COVID-19 in the 19,000-seating capacity arena at Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Trump’s rally event that will be held at the Bank of Oklahoma Center caters an online invitation that asks attendees to forego their rights in suing Trump and his campaign organizers if they get sick.

“By clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending the Rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., the rally site or organizers “liable for any illness or injury,”” the form says.

Currently, the city undergoes phase three of reopening amid coronavirus pandemic. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said in statement on May 29 that under phase three, “businesses may resume unrestricted staffing at their worksites by observing proper CDC-recommended social distancing protocols and are recommended to continue increased cleaning and disinfecting practices.”

Stitt, a Republican, promoted the campaign event. 

“The President is making Oklahoma his first campaign stop since March 2, and his visit here confirms Oklahoma is the national example in responsibly and safely reopening,” he said on Wednesday.

According to a Trump-campaign official, health measures will be put in place at the event but did not mention further details. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told the media on Wednesday that she did not have full information but assured “that everyone who goes is safe.”

The event became controversial because of the site and the date. Tulsa was the site of the Greenwood massacre, where a mob composed of White men killed around 300 black people and burned the neighborhood’s “Black Wall Street” in 1921. June 19 is also known as Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the US.

Source: AOL.com