Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden slams Donald Trump’s coronavirus measures

Democratic frontrunner accuses US President of fuelling fears by mishandling coronavirus crisis and not telling the truth.

Former US Vice President and Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden speaks about COVID-19 during a press event in Wilmington, Delaware. Picture: AFP

Joe Biden has savaged Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, saying the president has fuelled fears by mishandling the crisis and by not telling the truth.

In a presidential-style speech intended to show how the Democratic frontrunner would respond to the crisis if he were in the Oval Office, Mr Biden said the US needed much stronger leadership to stem the crisis.

“Protecting the health and safety of the American people is the most important job of any president — and unfortunately, this virus has laid bare the severe shortcomings of the current Administration,” he said.

“Public fears are being compounded by a pervasive lack of trust in this president, fuelled by his adversarial relationship with the truth.

“Our government’s ability to respond effectively has been undermined by the hollowing-out of our agencies and the disparagement of science. And our ability to drive a global response is dramatically undercut by the damage Trump has done to our credibility and our relationships around the world.”

Today, I'm releasing my plan to combat the coronavirus. We need:

- A decisive public health response to curb the spread of this disease and provide treatment to those in need
- A decisive economic response that delivers real relief https://t.co/xjxsDn2qCD

— Joe Biden (Text Join to 30330) (@JoeBiden) March 12, 2020

Mr Trump has come under growing criticism for his erratic approach to the crisis as he swings between saying the pandemic is a very dangerous health threat and saying it will go away soon.

The president’s Oval Office address on Thursday (AEDT), in which he banned travel between the US and Europe and unveiled a $US50 billion stimulus package, was poorly received and sent world markets tumbling.

Mr Biden outlined his own response to the pandemic, including free and widespread testing, financial support for people and small businesses impacted and paid sick leave.

“The White House should measure and report each day how many tests were ordered, how many tests have been completed, and how many have tested positive. By next week, the number of tests should be in the millions, not the thousands,” the former vice president said.

“We should make sure every person in a nursing home, a senior centre, or a vulnerable population has easy access to a test.”

Mr Biden attacked the president for referring to coronavirus as a “foreign virus”, saying this did “not displace accountability for the mismanagement that we have seen from the Trump Administration”.

“The coronavirus does not have a political affiliation. It will infect Republicans and Democrats alike. It will not discriminate based on national origin, race, gender, or zip code. It will touch people in positions of power and the most vulnerable in our society.”

Mr Biden said the ban on travel between the US and Europe might slow, but would not stop, the spread of the virus.

“And travel restrictions based on favouritism and politics — rather than risk — will be counter-productive,” Mr Biden said, referring to the exemption of close US allies the UK and Ireland from the European travel ban.

“This disease could impact every nation and any person on the planet. And we need a plan about how we are going to aggressively manage it here at home.’

Joe Biden: "Banning all travel for Europe or any other part of the world may slow it, but as we have seen, it will not stop it. And travel restrictions based on favoritism and politics rather than risks will be counterproductive." pic.twitter.com/5jmZvct9JR

— The Hill (@thehill) March 12, 2020

Mr Biden said Mr Trump could help to reclaim public trust and calm fears if he allowed public health professionals to make the key decisions and communicate them with the public.

“I can promise you that when I’m president, we will prepare better, respond better, and recover better,” he said.

The 77-year-old Mr Biden is the overwhelming favourite to win the Democratic presidential nomination over his rival Bernie Sanders after sweeping victories in major primaries this week and in last week’s Super Tuesday contests.

Both Mr Biden and Senator Sanders have cancelled all rallies and large gatherings because of coronavirus and have pivoted their campaigns to virtual speeches and online streaming in order to get their message to voters.

Cameron Stewart is also US Contributor for Sky News Australia