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BURLINGTON — Sen. Bernie Sanders said Friday that President Donald Trump should be tested for coronavirus and the results made public after the president reportedly came in contact with a Brazilian official later diagnosed with the virus.
Sanders — at his third press event in three days — said the majority of his staff is working from home. With rallies and town halls canceled, he said the virus had “radically changed” the presidential campaign. He said he anticipates relying even more on social media and livestreams to reach voters in the coming weeks.
“Under normal circumstances I would not be in Burlington today,” he said. “We are in the process of thinking this through, but the coronavirus has obviously impacted our ability to communicate with people in the traditional way.”
Sanders told reporters that he has not felt the need to get tested for the virus. He said he does not have any symptoms and does not believe he has come into contact with anyone infected. However, Sanders said the president should be tested. So far, Trump has declined, saying he is not worried.
The senator spoke about an hour before Trump declared a national emergency. On Thursday, Sanders had said the president should make such a declaration.
On Friday, Sanders spoke of the impact of the virus on the election, including the decision by Louisiana officials to postpone the April 4 primary by two months.
“Elections are the bedrock of our democracy and we don’t want to be delaying elections on a willy nilly basis,” he said. “This is an issue where the doctors, and the scientists, and the public health officials are going to have to be weighing the risks. I don’t think there’s anybody out there, no matter what your political view may be, who wants to see people becoming infected because they are voting.”
He also said his campaign had been in touch with the DNC regarding possible reduced voter turnout due to the virus.
At the event, Sanders doubled down on his policy agenda, and said he will make Medicare for All, paid family and medical leave and unemployment assistance top priorities when he returns to DC.
“The most cost-effective way to reform our dysfunctional and cruel system is to move to a Medicare for All single payer health care system,” he said. “What this crisis is beginning to teach us is that we are only as safe as the least insured person in America.”
He said paid family and medical leave is especially crucial for workers in the restaurant, transportation, tourism, and retail industries who could face financial ruin if they miss paychecks.
“We must directly address the economic desperation facing a huge number of Americans,” Sanders said.
He also spoke about the need to ensure the United States can produce the equipment it needs, as a matter of national security.
“From a national security perspective, it is incomprehensible that we are dependent on China and other countries for masks, for prescription drugs, for rubber gloves and for key parts needed to make advanced medical equipment like ventilators,” he said.
“Trade is a good thing but it has to be based on commonsense principles, it has to be based on protecting American workers and protecting our national security. Making sure we are producing what we need in this country in the event of a national crisis,” Sanders said.
