Gottlieb Says He Would ‘Certainly Counsel Against’ Going to Political Rallies Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is encouraging Americans not to attend political rallies.

When asked about President Donald Trump’s decision to start holding rallies again during an interview on CBS News’ “Face The Nation,” Gottlieb said, “I would certainly counsel against it.”

He continued, “If I was giving advice to the administration on this, I would say they should withhold large political rallies right now. “

“They also need to lead by example, and so encouraging people to social distance, encouraging people to wear masks, that’s what we should be engaging in right now,” Gottlieb added.

Additionally, he noted that health experts believe they can “sort of manage 20,000 diagnosed infections a day,” however, “The virus wants to infect 50 to 60% of us. That’s the characteristics of this virus.”

“It’s not going to be content to infect just 20,000 people a day. So if we carry all this infection, all the way into the fall, it’s unlikely we’re going to be able to keep it at these kinds of levels,” he added.

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Gottlieb’s comments come after Trump announced that he would begin holding his campaign rallies again, as IJR reported.

The campaign is expected to come up with safety measures to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus at the rallies.

Additionally, the campaign is requiring potential rally-goers to sign a waiver that says they “are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present.”

The waiver adds, “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.; BOK Center; ASM Global; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers liable for any illness or injury.”