‘It didn’t have to be this bad:’ Biden reacts to Trump pandemic response, Waukesha rally

Milwaukee, Wis. (CBS 58) – Ahead of President Donald Trump’s rally in Waukesha, former Vice President Joe Biden criticized his opponent’s response to the pandemic and its effect on Wisconsin.

“Wisconsin is rapidly approaching 200,000 COVID-19 cases with no signs of slowing down,” Biden said in a statement shared exclusively with CBS 58. “Jill and I pray for those first responders and health care workers who are on the frontlines every day, those who’ve contracted the virus, and the families who are mourning the loss of a loved one. […] The sad truth is that it didn’t have to be this bad.”

The coronavirus pandemic has been a central focus of the presidential race, including during the final presidential debate. Biden’s statement comes as President Trump is set to hold a rally in Waukesha Saturday, where large crowds are expected with little social distancing and mask wearing.

“President Trump knew the severity of this virus and failed to tell the American people the truth,” Biden said in his statement. “Time and again, he consistently downplayed the threat of the virus and has shown he is unwilling and unable to do the hard work to get it under control. It is what it is because of who he is.”

Biden has put forward his own plan on how he would respond to the pandemic.

“On day one, I’ll take action to tackle this crisis and build the economy back better for Wisconsin families and small businesses,” Biden said.

President Trump said in the last presidential debate that he expects a vaccine to be available by the end of the year and made an appeal to voters that he believes he is the best candidate to lead the country through an economic recovery.

CBS 58 will have full coverage of President Trump’s rally on-air and online.