Uninvited Guest: COVID-19 Hits Democratic National Convention
COVID-19 made an unexpected and unwelcome appearance at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), leading to multiple positive cases among attendees. The four-day event, held in Chicago from August 19 to 22, was meant to celebrate the nomination of Harris as the Presidential candidate with Tim Walz as her running mate. Instead, it became a hotbed for a COVID-19 outbreak, affecting reporters, politicians, and family members alike.
DNC becomes COVID-19 hotspot
According to a report by the NY Post, several attendees tested positive shortly after the event concluded. This development has raised concerns among health officials about a potential surge in infections nationwide. Many took to social media to share their experiences and symptoms, suspecting they had contracted the virus at the convention.
“In a completely predictable turn of events attendees of the DNC Convention are now coming down with covid-19. Of course, the most vaccinated people on the planet turned into super spreaders,” commented one individual on X (Formerly Twitter).
Voices from the ground
Reporter Christopher Wiggins tweeted, “When you spend five days in Chicago for the DNC and come home with COVID-19. Womp womp.”
Human rights lawyer Yasmine Taeb also shared her ordeal: “Indeed. I arrived at the DNC healthy and hopeful and left very sick and disillusioned.”
Lack of precautionary measures
Earlier reports indicated that few attendees wore masks, leading to criticism that the Democrats were not transparent about their handling of the ongoing respiratory disease. Positive tests from DNC attendees have been steadily coming in, causing further alarm.
“Congratulations on the superspreader event, Democrats,” commented People for the Green movement. Another user quipped, “After being boosted 729 times and quadruple masked, numerous DNC attendees have tested positive for COVID, congratulations.”
Rising COVID-19 concerns nationwide
Amid rising concerns over Monkeypox and influenza, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated on August 16, 2024, that COVID-19 infections are likely increasing in 27 states. The CDC noted that infections are “declining or likely declining in 4 states, and remaining stable or uncertain in 17 states.” Although still well below pandemic levels, COVID-19-related deaths have been steadily rising nationwide since June, according to reports.
First in-person meet-up since 2016
Coincidentally, this was the first major in-person Democratic meet-up since 2016, as the 2020 convention was held virtually due to the pandemic. Social media users criticized the Democrats for not enforcing strict health guidelines, unlike their Republican counterparts. Many who raised concerns about the outbreak also shared photos of themselves wearing masks online.
While the extent of the virus spread at the Chicago event remains unclear, it is evident that tens of thousands attended the convention, raising significant public health concerns.
The unexpected COVID-19 outbreak at the DNC has sparked a wave of criticism and concern, highlighting the ongoing challenges in managing the pandemic even as large-scale public events resume.