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Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden calls for a nationwide mask mandate at Michigan rally

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PHOTO CREDITS: ERIN SCHAFF/NEW YORK TIMES 

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden called for a nationwide mask mandate at his Michigan rally Friday, following the news of President Trump testing positive for COVID-19.

Former Vice President Joe Biden visited Grand Rapids, Michigan Friday afternoon, in which he urged Americans to “wear a mask in public” and called for “masking mandates nationwide” for the second time of his presidential campaign. Joe Biden, tweeting after the rally, said, “Thank you, Grand Rapids, for a great afternoon. From the virus to the economy, we face immense challenges as a nation.” In his remarks, Biden asserted that the pandemic was not a partisan moment, rather an American moment. He also said, “‘The news is a reminder that we as a nation need to do better in dealing with this pandemic.’” Earlier in the morning, after news broke that President Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 just days after Biden and him debated, Biden tweeted: “‘I’m happy to report that Jill and I have tested negative for COVID. Thank you to everyone for your messages of concern. I hope this serves as a reminder: wear a mask, keep social distance, and wash your hands.” 

On Friday, President Trump tweeted late at night the announcement that he and the FLOTUS tested positive for COVID-19. Biden then tweeted out that he and his wife were sending their thoughts out to Trump and his wife and were praying for he and his families health and safety. Due to the presidential debates having happened on Tuesday, despite being socially distanced and having had no contact, Joe Biden and his wife were tested for the coronavirus on Friday Morning, in which both tests came back negative. 

In a video released by President Trump Friday afternoon, Trump stated that he wants to “thank everyone for the tremendous support…” and that his wife is doing very well. According to an article published by Fox News, Trump testing positive “thrusts the presidential election spotlight firmly back on the pandemic…” Biden has also repeatedly condemned the President’s reaction to the pandemic. In the first debate, Biden told the public, “the president has no plan. He hasn’t laid out anything. … He panicked.” 

ARTICLE: YULIANIE HERNANDEZ

EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE, DOMESTIC AFFAIRS EDITOR

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