NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Belmont University says it’s moving forward with its planning as it prepares to host the third and final presidential debate later this month. The update comes after President Donald Trump’s recent COVID-19 diagnosis.
Belmont says "for now" it's still moving forward with its final preparations to host the event, which is scheduled for October 22. The university released a full statement on Monday, saying:
“First and most importantly, our thoughts and prayers are with President and Mrs. Trump and everyone diagnosed with COVID-19, that they may each experience a full and speedy recovery.
Twelve months ago, Belmont was selected to host the third and final presidential debate of 2020. With less than three weeks to go, we are fully committed to working with the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) and our health advisors on final preparations and will continue to follow their lead and guidance. For now, we are moving forward with our work to ensure we are 100 percent prepared to fulfill our commitment to host the third and final presidential debate on Oct. 22.”
According to CDC guidelines, people who test positive for COVID-19 should stay in isolation for at least 10 days after symptoms first appear and after they have been without a fever for at least 24 hours.
Trump has been hospitalized with COVID-19 at Walter Reed Medical Center since Friday.
NewsChannel 5 political analyst Pat Nolan says even if the third presidential debate at Belmont does go on as scheduled, it may not have as big an impact as in previous years. He says this year, due to COVID-19, more people will have already voted early or by mail by the time the debate is scheduled to take place in about three weeks.
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