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GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (REUTERS) – Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said President Donald Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis is an “invigorating reminder” that the pandemic must be taken seriously, as he campaigned on Friday (October 2) in Michigan state, battlefield.
Speaking at a union in Grand Rapids hours after testing negative twice for the coronavirus, Biden said he and his wife, Jill Biden, were praying for Trump and first lady Melania Trump to have a speedy and full recovery.
But Biden also urged all Americans to wear masks to slow the spread of the disease. He implicitly criticized the Republican president, who has downplayed the lethality of the virus, frequently avoids masks and has held large campaign rallies with little social distancing.
“Be a patriot,” Biden said. “It’s not about being a tough guy. It’s about doing your part. “
Biden met in a one-on-one debate with Trump on Tuesday.
The diagnosis of Trump, who is experiencing mild symptoms and will be out of the way indefinitely while isolating himself in the White House, brings the coronavirus back to the limelight just over four weeks before the Nov.3 election.
It is likely to reinforce Biden’s message about Trump’s failed response to the disease, which has killed more than 200,000 people in the United States, and undermines the president’s argument that an end to the pandemic is in sight.
Polls show voters trust Biden to handle the coronavirus more than Trump, who has pushed for a quicker reopening of the economy and schools, rarely wears a mask, and has held large campaign rallies with little social distancing.
“It’s hard to say ‘it’s under control’ when you’re a victim of it,” said Democratic strategist Chris Kofinis.
“If we talk about the pandemic for the next four weeks, Donald Trump loses.”
Biden wished Trump the best on Friday on Twitter.
But by announcing his negative test, he also reinforced his message about the need to take precautions against the virus.
“I am pleased to report that Jill and I have tested negative for Covid,” Biden said on Twitter. “Thank you all for your messages of concern. I hope this serves as a reminder to you: wear a mask, maintain social distance and wash your hands.”
Health professionals say that covering your face is key to preventing the virus from spreading.
Biden is expected to speak at a Michigan union hall about his plans to rebuild the economy. A report from the Labor Department on Friday showed the pace of economic growth slowing in the final weeks before the election, with only 661,000 jobs created and 3.8 million people lost their jobs forever.
Michigan, which Trump narrowly beat Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016, is a vital battleground in the Nov.3 election.
Biden leads Trump in national opinion polls, though polls in the battlefield states that will decide the contest show a closer race.
A Reuters / Ipsos poll last month showed Biden leading Trump by 5 percentage points among likely voters in Michigan.
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