2020 Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders is knocking President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
When asked during Sunday night’s 2020 Democratic debate what “the most important thing you would do tonight to try to save American lives” in response to the coronavirus outbreak, Sanders first pointed his answer at Trump.
“First thing we gotta do, whether or not I’m president, is to shut this president up right now,” Sanders responded.
He continued, “Because he’s undermining the doctors and the scientists who are trying to help the American people, it is unacceptable for him to be blabbering with un-factual information, which is confusing the general public.”
While noting his second point, the Vermont senator, however, said he was “glad” Trump declared the coronavirus a national emergency on Friday.
Sanders went on to make known his second point on what he thinks needs to be done:
“What we have got to do, is move aggressively to make sure that every person in this country finally understands that when they get sick with the coronavirus, that they will — that all payments will be made. They don’t have to worry about coming up with money for testing. They don’t have to worry about coming up with money for treatment.”
“This is an unprecedented moment in American history,” Sanders said.
“But right now, in this emergency, I want every person in this country to understand what when you get sick, you go to the doctor. When you get sick, if you have the virus, that will be paid for. Do not worry about the cost right now. Because we’re in the middle of a national emergency. … So we need unprecedented action right now to deal with the unprecedented crisis.”
Watch the video below:
Bernie Sanders on what he'd do as president to help Americans amid the coronavirus pandemic: "Well, the first thing we have got to do, whether or not I'm president, is to shut this president up right now" #DemDebate https://t.co/166aRFdJui pic.twitter.com/u5mVoV33PR
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 16, 2020
During the debate, Sanders made a few gaffes as he mixed up the coronavirus with ebola twice, before saying, “Got ebola in my head.”
In his closing message about the coronavirus, Sanders said, “In this moment of economic uncertainty, in addition to coronavirus, it is time to ask how we get to where we are, not only a lack of preparation for the virus, but how we end up with an economy where so many of our people are hurting. … It is time to ask the question of where the power is in America.”
Additionally, former Vice President Joe Biden said in his closing statement about the virus, “This is about America. This is about the world. This is about how we bring people together and make the kind of sacrifices we need to make to get this done.”
See Biden’s comments below:
Joe Biden's closing message to Americans about the coronavirus: "This is about America. This is about the world. This is about how we bring people together and make the kind of sacrifices we need to make to get this done" #DemDebate https://t.co/6r3HUZPE0D pic.twitter.com/vRQG7ITfgt
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 16, 2020
The debate on Sunday night was originally scheduled to be held in Phoenix, Ariz., but was moved to Washington, D.C., amid coronavirus concerns. There was also no live audience. The two Democratic presidential hopefuls bumped elbows instead of shaking hands.
The coronavirus has killed over 6,500 people globally. There has been at least 3,602 people in the U.S. infected by the coronavirus and at least 66 deaths, according to statistics by The New York Times.
