No handshakes, limited audience: Covid shapes final Trump-Biden debate talks

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

Representatives for President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden have hammered out the final details for Tuesday’s debate, a showdown that will be heavily shaped by the coronavirus pandemic.

The two sides have decided to forego the traditional pre-debate handshake in light of the virus, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations. They also won’t do an elbow-bump, a coronavirus-era handshake substitute which both campaigns saw as awkward.

Neither Trump nor Biden nor the debate moderator, Fox News host Chris Wallace, will wear masks.

And unlike past presidential debates, there will be a limited audience of only 75 to 80 people, all of whom will be tested prior to attending the debate, which will be held on the campus of the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/26/trump-biden-debate-coronavirus-422040

[NCjack]

1. Joe needs to have a backup mask in his pocket. Expect Mr. Trump

to start coughing and directing it towards it Joe. Just saying. Can't trust Repukes.

[Lars39]

2. Need plexiglass between them

[Rebl2]

6. Good idea

[fierywoman]

7. This.

[cp]

12. Yes!

And Joe should definitely have a mask to hand.

Dumpy can't do the Stalking Hillary bit, but he can do a Covid Menace and cough.

[mobeau69]

3. Con should be in a fucking straight jacket.

[left-of-center2012]

4. Trump's handshake

Guessing it's limp and sweaty.

[Rebl2]

5. I don't

think there should be an audience at all and both Biden and Trump should be tested the day before the debate. They also should be told to stay at their podiums. In other words, no walking around the stage.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Don't see the purpose of the audience

They should forego debates and give them each an hour with Chris Wallace.

[FakeNoose]

13. Yes, or a virtual "debate" a la Zoom meeting

But that can also be achieved on a regular video broadcast. The big news outlets all do that on a daily basis. I don't see why the Candidates need to be on the same stage, or in front of an audience. Is the applause so important to Chump that he won't show up unless he gets it?

[sarcasmo]

9. Trump will mention Hunter Biden at least ten times.

[CTyankee]

14. That's what my daughter said. He's out of ammo and throwing the gun...

[iluvtennis]

10. All good, except for an audience - absolutely no need for an audience. nt

[texasfiddler]

11. Can we put Stormy on the front row?

[onetexan]

15. Good, no handshakes with the devil. Biden's Justice Dept. will prosecute his & LowBarr's ass

along w/ Ron Johnson, Moscow Mitch...the whole lot of them.

[RKP5637]

16. Glad to see Joe is not shaking Trump's hand. Just imagine where that hand has been and

the diseases that likely fester on it!

[royable]

17. I wouldn't trust drumpf or his team not to try to infect Biden with something.

Sort of like the infamous poisoned tooth of Dune, except it's some nasty disease that drumpf has been inoculated against.

Don't drink the polonium tea they offer either, Joe!