Harris-Pence to be separated by plexiglass at VP Debate 2020, after recent White House COVID spike

Kamala Harris and Mike Pence will be separated by a see-through barrier to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission at Wednesday’s vice presidential debate.

The Democratic campaign allegedly requested the plexiglass shield according to one campaign aide who spoke under anonymity.

The debate in Salt Lake City will come less than a week after President Donald Trump tested positive for the virus. It is the only planned debate between the two vice presidential contenders and will take on heightened attention following the president’s diagnosis.

The two will be seated more than 12 feet apart from each other during the matchup, according to another insider who was also unauthorised to publicly discuss the details. 

Pence will appear despite recent exposure to people who have tested positive for the virus, though he has not tested positive.

He attended a Rose Garden ceremony Sept. 26 for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett alongside a handful of people who have now tested positive for the virus, including Trump. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people stay at home for 14 days after their last exposure to someone with coronavirus.

He traveled to Utah on Monday. He is taking a lead role in the reelection campaign while Trump is recovering and unable to hold rallies or other campaign events.

Harris, meanwhile, has been in Utah since Saturday to prepare for the debate. She last reported a negative test on Friday and campaigned in Las Vegas later that day.

The president’s diagnosis puts a new spotlight on the vice presidential debate and on the continued presence of the virus, a key campaign message for Biden and Harris.

Susan Page of USA Today will moderate the debate.

[Sourced from Agencies]