US Election 2020: Upcoming Democratic debate will be held without an audience

With the coronavirus continuing to pose a threat to the world and especially in the United States during the election season, the candidates are taking the necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of the public who will be watching. One such instance is the upcoming debate between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders this Sunday, which will not have a live audience.

The upcoming Democratic debate in Phoenix, Arizona this Sunday will see Biden and Sanders debate. The former vice president and the senator of Vermont are the only two people left in the race to become the Democrat nominee for the November elections. But as their debate draws closer, both candidates’ campaigns have requested that there would be no live audience during the debate out for the health and safety of the public and of them.

In debates, the candidates are allowed to entertain questions from the audience and this particular debate will occur days before the primary in Arizona itself along with Ohio, Illinois, and Florida.

The upcoming debate will be hosted by CNN and Univision and will still be slated by Jake Tapper, Dana Bash, and Jorge Ramos.

This announcement to not have a live audience at the debate comes after both candidates’ campaigns announced that their respective rallies will be canceled due to the concerns surrounding the coronavirus. Sanders’ Communications’ Director Mike Casca said in a statement, “Out of concern for public health and safety, we are canceling tonight’s rally in Cleveland. We are heeding the public warnings from the Ohio state officials, who have communicated concern about holding large, indoor events during the coronavirus outbreak.”

Biden’s side echoed the sentiments. According to Biden’s deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield in a statement, “We will continue to consult with public health officials and public health guidance and make announcements about future events in the coming days…”

The former vice president continues to be the favorite as he wins over more states in the primaries compared to Sanders. This is to the extent that Biden is already the presumed Democratic candidate who will go up against Donald Trump this November. Biden has already secured wins and delegates from Michigan, Missouri, and Mississippi during the polls on Tuesday. This leaves Washington and North Dakota still open for a turnaround for Sanders.