Reprinted from The New York Times by Katie Glueck, Thomas Kaplan and on October 3, 2020.
Joseph R. Biden Jr. tested negative for the coronavirus and pressed on with in-person campaigning on Friday, as President Trump’s hospitalization with the virus seismically altered the race and threw the government into upheaval.
Biden flew on Friday afternoon to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he delivered remarks about the economy and emphasized the dangers of the pandemic. In a preview of how the former vice president may discuss the developments in the days to come, he cast his opponent’s positive test as a vivid illustration of the public health risks at play, but offered Trump wishes for a speedy recovery. His campaign also moved to take down negative ads.
“This is not a matter of politics,” said Biden, who revealed that he had been tested twice on Friday. “It’s a bracing reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously. It’s not going away automatically. We have to do our part to be responsible.” …
