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

(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

published 2 October 2020

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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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

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