CLEVELAND — President Trump's announcement that he and the First Lady had tested positive for COVID-19 last week thrust nationwide attention on the co-sponsor of the recent presidential debate, Cleveland Clinic.
Not only did the Clinic partner with Case Western Reserve University to host last Tuesday's debate at Samson Pavilion, but it is also serving as the Health Security Advisor to the Commission on Presidential Debates this fall.
After days of criticism and questions, the Cleveland Clinic has released a statement on Tuesday night clarifying what its role was during last week's debate as well as its advisory role for the commission.
"Cleveland Clinic serves as the Health Security Advisor to The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). Our responsibility is to provide advice to the CPD on how to create a safe and healthy environment for all individuals entering the debate halls. The guidelines we recommend are based on scientific data, guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and medical advice.
Prior to the first debate, we worked closely with the CPD to create health and safety requirements. These are the same requirements that we have recommended be implemented at each of the other host sites. They include testing, social distancing, hand sanitizing, temperature checks and masking.
Any questions regarding the recommendations and requirements, including their implementation and enforcement, should be directed to the CPD.”
Following the president's COVID-19 diagnosis, observers pointed out that several members of President Trump's family was seen seated in the audience at Samson Pavilion without wearing a mask. Social media images show the family wearing masks when they entered the venue. Other photos, however, show their facial coverings were removed while in physically distanced seats to watch the debate.
"A Cleveland Clinic doctor in a white lab coat started to approach Trump family guests to ask them to put on masks," NBC News' Hallie Jackson wrote on NBCNews.com. "She offered them one in case they didn't get one. She never approached any family members but as she got closer to them, someone shook their head and no one she reminded to put on a mask ended up putting one on."
Gov. Mike DeWine was asked Friday whether he believes Cleveland Clinic should be fined for not enforcing mask rules inside of the Samson Pavillion during the debate.
"It's a great institution," DeWine said of the Cleveland Clinic's enforcement of masks inside the debate hall, "I think they did a very very good job."
In regards to the pictures and videos of the Trump family not wearing masks during the debate and whether the Cleveland Clinic should be fined, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted added "I saw almost everyone inside the venue had a mask on, I wasn't in a position that I could see everyone, but everyone that was in my sightline had a mask on, outside of the participants in the debate."