NEW CASTLE, United States, May 26, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Joe Biden, the
presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, emerged from more than two months
seclusion Monday, wearing a black face mask during a visit to lay a wreath on
the day the United States honors its war dead.
“Thank you for your service,” the former vice president said to a well-
wisher after paying his respects at the Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle,
Delaware.
Biden’s last public appearance was March 15 when he faced off against his
former Democratic rival Bernie Sanders for a debate in a television studio
held with no live audience.
Since then the 77-year-old has remained in isolation at his home in
Wilmington, Delaware in keeping with recommended measures to protect the
elderly and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Biden wore a black mask covering his mouth and nose at Monday’s Memorial
Day wreath-laying, in contrast with his rival for the US presidency, Donald
Trump who has yet to wear a mask in public despite guidance to the contrary
from his own health authorities.
Biden and his wife Jill placed a wreath of white flowers at the memorial
park and observed a moment of silence during the brief ceremony before
returning to their motorcade.
Asked by a reporter if he had a message for the country, Biden’s reply was
difficult to hear.
“Never forget the sacrifices that these men and women made. Never, ever,
forget,” he said through his face mask.
The restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic have created big
obstacles for Biden’s campaign, at a time when Trump has enjoyed high
visibility through near daily White House pandemic briefings.
Biden abruptly cancelled a rally in Ohio March 10, replacing it with a
speech to a half empty hall in Philadelphia that evening, followed by a news
conference at a Wilmington hotel March 12.
Although he has celebrated primary victories while in confinement, he has
been forced to conduct his campaign online for more than two months from a
television studio installed at his home.
According to the candidate, he and his wife have left their home only for
occasional walks or bike rides.