Why is Kamala debating in the same room as Pence?

[dlk]

This puts her and her staff at very serious risk. There’s NO good reason not to do the debate remotely. Who on her campaign is making these decisions?

[mucifer]

1. I hope she borrows Jaime's plexiglass

[onetexan]

2. Time to borrow Jaime Harrison's plexiglass shield

[lark]

3. They need major screens between them so he can't utilize drumpfs infection strategy.

Seriously, without those, don't know if it's safe.

[dlk]

4. Plexiglass won't be enough to protect her

The Trump campaign does not mean her well. They never even told the Bidens Trump was Covid positive.

[JI7]

6. And that entire fucking family was sitting inside without masks

[Towlie]

5. I agree, the stakes are way too high now.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. One good thing: I don't think Pence is going to be allowed to debate without

a test.

[LisaL]

11. He shouldn't be, but we all know how that turned out in the first debate.

They took Trump's campaign's word that everybody was tested.

[C_U_L8R]

8. Not just Pence, but all the campaign staff

They are a walking cloud of disease.
The only smart move is to stay far away.

[Claustrum]

9. The Biden/Harris campaign already asked and got approved to change the distance between Pence

and Kamala from 7 feet to 12 feet. There are 2 campaigns that they have to work with. We don't make all of the decisions alone.

[LisaL]

10. I think the rules are set by the Debate Commission.

They are going to be further apart (12 feet) than originally decided (7 feet).
I am hoping that Pence and any people that come with him are tested by a third party, without just taking Pence's word that he got tested.
Tests should start picking virus by Wednesday if Pence got infected by Trump. My understanding it takes 3-7 days after infection for tests to start picking up the virus.

[dlk]

12. Tests take time for results and they're not always accurate

They are only a snapshot at a specific time. Someone can test negative and then later test positive. Also, this is an airborne virus and 6 or 12 feet spacing is not a guarantee. I don’t understand why the very real risks are being brushed aside. Harris’ (and her staff’s) safety matters.

[OnDoutside]

15. I was speaking with an acquaintance of mine who works for one of the big Pharma companies who

produce the testing kits, and they said that the tests have moved a lot further from the 50-50 results back in March, and have a far higher level of reliability now.

On a sidenote, they were saying that their division of the Pharma company were contacted directly from the White House demanding they give 100% of the kits to the US, and screw the rest of the world. They declined but i think the US is still getting 50% plus.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

13. The Trump/Pence creeps will probably sit on HER side...

... of the stage too, just like they did to Biden while refusing to wear masks!

https://www.cleveland19.com/2020/09/30/some-guests-president-trumps-side-debate-room-reportedly-refused-masks-when-asked-by-cleveland-clinic-doctor

[OnDoutside]

14. I think the Biden campaign should insist on no audience, for a start. And if Pence complains, tell

him they more than proved they can't be trusted.

[dlk]

16. At Biden's debate, the Trump camp arrived too late to be tested

They also didn’t wear masks during the debate and for all we know, Trump was Covid positive at the debate. Trump & his entourage could not care less who they infect and will continue to flaunt safety rules. This is reckless endangerment. If someone infects someone else with HIV, they can be jailed. Why are we ignoring reality with Covid, which can be fatal, and not safely conducting the debates remotely? Is there even one good reason?

[kacekwl]

17. No audience, period.

Make it so please.

[Meowmee]

18. There should be no in person debates

This a big mistake. She should not go.

[dlk]

19. Even without an audience, there is still the candidate and their staff

If Jack Danforth and others on the debate commission are as decent as people say, they will change the venue and do the Harris/Pence debate remotely. If not, why not? What is the agenda? Safety should be paramount.

[BlueNProud]

20. It's insane to drag 2 entourages plus the press out to Utah

when both candidates essentially live in DC. I've been very supportive if the commission over the years but this failure to even consider doing these via video is weird.

[dlk]

21. What has happened to our public safety duty?

Not just the debate commission but all Americans have a duty to protect each ourselves and each other. This gets lost in the noise.

[onenote]

22. do you think Harris is held hostage by her staff?

You ask who on her staff is making these decisions as if she has no power to make the final call herself.

Do you really believe that?

[dlk]

24. Of course not

[Hugin]

23. Why is Kamala debating on the same planet as Pence?

It's still too close.

[karynnj]

25. They should demand a clear plexiglass or glass divider between Harris and Pence

Every grocery store I have been in (yeah - only two, but ...) have installed these between the clerk and the customer. If you BOTH had the 12 feet of distance and a clear divider between them it would seem harder for one to infect the other.

[dlk]

26. Isn't insisting on a plexiglass screen an admission the venue is not safe?

Safety first!

[Brother Buzz]

27. To screw with 'Mother'

If 'Mother' isn't happy, Pence will be off his game and unfocused.

[dlk]

28. Is that worth risking Harris' and her staff's health and safety?

I don’t think it is.

[LisaL]

29. She can decide for herself.

NT

[dlk]

30. With so much at stake, she may feel pressured to go along

Why put her in that position?

[LisaL]

31. Who is supposed to tell her not to do it?

NT

[dlk]

32. The Debate Commission can change the venue

Her campaign can put the word out it’s not safe.

[crickets]

33. I agree.

In person debates are not necessary. It's possible to have a virtual debate and they really should. If we've gotten to the point of moving podiums farther apart and debating plexiglass screens then the next thought is, how's the ventilation?

Given the number of staff who were infected during the prep phase at the last debate, it's not just about the safety of the candidates. Think of the chain of people, all the staff involved in getting either of them from home to the debate center: public spaces, planes, catering and dining, autos - all these situations involve other people who might be exposing one another. It doesn't have to happen that way. There is no need to throw all of these people together just to put on a show in person. Zoom debates - do it!