Wearing a blue surgical mask, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden pleaded with the American people to follow guidance that will slow the spread of COVID-19 during a visit to Grand Rapids on Friday.
The former vice president's comments were his first in public after President Donald Trump and first lady Melania announced they had tested positive for the disease caused by the coronavirus. Biden said he and his wife, Jill, are praying the president and first lady recover quickly.
"This is not a matter of politics. It is a bracing reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously," Biden said.
"It's not going away automatically. We have to do our part to be responsible. it means following the science, listening to the experts, washing our hands, social distancing, It means wearing a mask in public, it meansencouraging others to do so as well. It means having masking mandates nationwide."
The event took place outside a United Food and Commercial Workers hall on the northeast side of Grand Rapids. The union represents more than 33,000 employees across the state who work in food processing facilities and grocery stores — businesses that largely remain open despite health risks from the pandemic.
"Essentialworkers here in Grand Rapids won't forget how the UFCW members saw their jobs turned suddenly into a life and death task," Biden said.
The union cited the need for hazard pay and enforcement of mask mandates. Recently, the state passed its annual budget that includes more than $130 million in hazard pay for certain front-line workers. But this pay would go to nurses and similar positions and is not intended for food workers.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued many orders that generally require face masks in grocery stores and similar settings. Butlocal jurisdictions are tasked with enforcing the orders.
Biden transitioned quickly from the health and safety ramifications of COVID-19 to the huge cost of the pandemic on the economy. He noted the anemic jobs report that came out Friday, the final such report before Election Day.
"It means essential workers, UFCW workers, who sacrificed to keep us going through the pandemic and continue it are being left behind during the most unequal recovery in modern history," Biden said.
He did not announce any new plans or initiatives during the roughly 20-minute speech Friday, instead highlighting key tenets of his campaign. He pledged to expand on the Affordable Care Act's privileges and benefits and argued he had a plan to encourage business to create millions of new, well-paying manufacturing jobs.
Opponents argue the plans are expensive and may not result in the degree of benefits Biden suggests.
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There were some concerns that Biden's health could be in question Friday after Trump tested positive for COVID-19.
However, Biden and his wife both tested negative for the disease caused by the coronavirus. The former vice president said he received two tests on Friday out of an abundance of caution.
Michigan health officials have confirmed more than 126,000 cases in the state, resulting in more than 6,800 deaths, as of Friday.
Neither state nor local health officials said they were consulted by the Biden campaign about whether the former vice president should continue with the event despite his potential exposure at his debate with Trump on Tuesday night.
Steve Kelso, a spokesperson for the Kent County Health Department, stressed that if the campaigning continues, Biden and others should continue to wear masks, practice social distancing, diligently wash their hands and take other precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
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Both Biden and Trump are at additional risk of complications from the virus because of their age. Trump's diagnosis will absolutely affect the logistics and trajectory of his campaign, and may alter plans from Biden as well.
Politically, Biden's visit to Grand Rapids is significant. Traditionallya Republican stronghold, Democrats are optimistic they can steal a House seat in the area this fall if there is significant turnout for Biden.
Moderate Democrat Hillary Scholten is facing GOP contender Peter Meijer in the race to represent Michigan's 3rd Congressional District. Current Rep. Justin Amash, a Libertarian who renounced his membership in the Republican Party in large part due to Trump, is not seeking reelection.
Most polls show Biden leading Trump in Michigan; a recent poll conducted for the Free Press put Biden 8 points ahead of the president in the state.
This poll, and many others, show most people have made up their minds about which candidate they'll support. But Biden's ability to conduct in-person campaign events while Trump quarantines in the White House may help swing a few votes his way.
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Jill Biden recently visited the Grand Rapids area as well, while vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris toured Flint and Detroit. Trump hosted a rally in Freeland, outside Saginaw, in early September. Karen Pence, wife of VicePresident Mike Pence, also visited Michigan this week.
Even with the president's diagnosis, expectmore trips from both campaigns ahead of Election Day.
Voting is well underway in Michigan, with more than 2 million absentee ballots already distributed. Election Day is Nov. 3.
Arpan Lobo is a reporter for the Holland Sentinel.
Contact Dave Boucher: dboucher@freepress.com or 313-938-4591. Follow him on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1.
