Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders began their first one-on-one Democratic debate with an elbow bump instead of the traditional handshake, bowing to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.
The candidates were placed six feet from one another in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and there was no live audience.
The outbreak was first topic posed to the two men, who being in their 70s, are in the higher-risk category for the disease.
Both candidates addressed concerns about testing, the lack of hospital beds and the question of supplies.
‘My heart goes out to those who have already lost someone or those suffering from the virus. This is bigger than any one of us. This is a national rally into everybody move together,’ Biden said.
Sanders also pushed his universal healthcare plan.
‘I, obviously, believe in Medicare for All. I will fight for that as president. But right now, in this emergency, I want every person in this country to understand what when you get sick, you go to the doctor. When you get sick, if you have the virus, that will be paid for. Do not worry about the cost right now. Because we’re in the middle of a national emergency,’ he said.
This is how to do it: Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders started with a safe greeting
Social distancing: The two podiums were placed six feet apart – while the debate moderators were also kept far apart
Also socially distanced: The moderators ,CNN chief political correspondent Dana Bash, CNN chief Washington correspondent Jake Tapper and Univision’s journalist Ilia Calderon were also distanced from each other
Fears about the spread of the coronavirus have transformed the event. Its location has been moved from a convention center in Phoenix, Arizona, to a soundstage at CNN’s studios in Washington D.C. where there will be no studio audience for the candidates to react to.
Additionally the candidates will stay six feet apart, as recommended as part of ‘social distancing.’
‘The podiums are placed 6 feet apart, in accordance with CDC guidelines,’ CNN tweeted with a photo of the podiums on the debate stage.
Sanders and Biden have each offered their own responses to the coronavirus outbreak – making speeches outlining their plan after President Donald Trump’s address to the nation failed to calm fears.
CNN announced the candidates’ podiums will be six feet apart according to CDC guidelines
Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will meet for their first one-on-one debate Sunday night; the two are seen together at the last Democratic debate in Charleston in February
The coronavirus has transformed the debate and both Democratic contenders have offered their plans after President Donald Trump failed to sooth fears in his Oval Office address last week
And both Democratic contenders have canceled campaign rallies in favor of virtual events to try and stem the spread of the disease.
The Vermont senator used his address to make another push for his universal healthcare – Medicaid for All – plan. He also called for free treatment for the virus and for expanded anti-hunger initiatives to help the poor.
Biden’s plan calls for free testing and additional treatment options. He also called for paid sick leave for anyone affected by the virus. And he pushed for a ‘health crisis food initiative’ that would benefit children who receive free meals at schools, which have now closed.
Sunday’s debate could be the last in the Democratic primary process.
The two white men in their 70s are the last candidates standing in a Democratic primary field that started out with more than 20 candidates that contained a mix of gender, race and age.
And the debate is the last chance for them to make their case before four states – Arizona, Ohio, Illinois and Florida – go the polls.
Biden leads in polling in those four states and a series of wins there would increase pressure on Sanders to drop out in order to allow the party to rally around a nominee to take on President Trump this fall.
CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash are moderating along with Univision’s Ilia Calderón – who stepped in after her colleague Jorge Ramos withdrew from moderating because of possible exposure to the coronavirus.
It begins at 8 p.m. ET.
Biden enters the debate as the front runner for the nomination and the pressure will be on the former vice president to give a commanding performance when he has flubbed in previous settings.
But Sanders faces his last chance to appeal to Democratic voters before Tuesday’s contests.
Additionally, he has indicated he will push Biden hard on a number of issues that concern his progressive base of supporters.
Bernie Sanders indicated in the debate he will push Joe Biden on issues important to progressives
Joe Biden will be under pressure to act commanding and presidential in debate
The Vermont senator showed his hand last week when he said in a speech he’d like to question Biden on healthcare costs, immigration and climate change.
And, in a ‘fireside chat’ on Saturday night, Sanders, seated next to a fireplace with his campaign manager Faiz Shakir, said he would blast Biden for his support from wealthy donors, an attack line he has used effectively against other Democratic candidates.
‘Joe has been part of the establishment for a very long time. Joe, what role have you played in trying to make sure we end this massive level of income and wealth inequality?’ Sanders said.
Sunday’s night debate will be a stark contrast to the last event.
There were seven candidates on stage at the last debate, which took place in Charleston, S.C., on Feb. 25.
Since then, five have dropped out: Mike Bloomberg, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Tom Steyer and Elizabeth Warren.
Bloomberg, Buttigieg, and Klobuchar have all endorsed Biden.
The former vice president has made a play for liberals – and the blessing of Warren – when, in a virtual town hall on Friday night, he announced his support for Warren’s bankruptcy plan, which would simplify the bankruptcy process,
Biden pointed out the Massachusetts senator’s’ plan is ‘one of the things that I think Bernie and I will agree on.’
Warren has yet to endorse but her blessing would give either candidate a major boost – giving Biden the support of liberals or Sanders more staying power in the race.
Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard remains in the Democratic primary race. But the Democratic National Committee tightened the qualifications for Sunday’s debate and said a candidate needed at least 20 percent of the delegates that have been awarded to qualify.
Gabbard only has two delegates.