Could Trump have infected Biden with COVID-19 at the debate? Yes, but it's unlikely.

Trump and Biden debate
(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

President Trump tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday night, two days after facing off against his fellow septuagenarian, Joe Biden, at the first presidential debate of 2020. Luckily, they did not shake hands, but they also did not wear masks. They were in shouting distance of each other — and the candidate who has tested positive did a lot of shouting. So, could Trump have infected Biden with the coronavirus?

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Everybody at the debate had to test negative to attend, and Hope Hicks — the close Trump aide who started showing COVID-19 symptoms Wednesday — was among those in attendance. She tested negative Wednesday morning, too, CBS News reports, and then tested positive Wednesday evening. So is Biden at risk? Yes, but the risk is low, epidemiologist Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding explained early Friday.

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Peter Weber

Peter Weber is a senior editor at TheWeek.com, and has handled the editorial night shift since the website launched in 2008. A graduate of Northwestern University, Peter has worked at Facts on File and The New York Times Magazine. He speaks Spanish and Italian and plays bass and rhythm cello in an Austin rock band. Follow him on Twitter.