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Health Officer: Trump Rally During Pandemic "Unfortunate"

Linda Vail photo
Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail, speaking with reporters via Zoom on Tuesday

Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail says it’s “very unfortunate” that President Trump held a rally at Lansing’s airport during the pandemic.

Vail says some people arrived overnight and spent the day at Lansing’s Capital Region International Airport to await the Trump rally. She saw what she described as “mixed mask wearing” in coverage of the event. “It’s obviously deeply concerning that we have those kinds of crowds," Vail stated, "at a time when we have higher levels of transmission in the state and in the county.”

Vail told reporters Tuesday that she “doesn’t have a crystal ball” about calling the rally a “super spreader” event, adding that she’s been concerned about many gatherings that included political protests this year. Still, she notes that there have been increases in COVID-19 cases following some of the President’s rallies. Vail says officials will be assessing coronavirus test results in the area over the next two weeks.

Scott Pohl is a general assignment news reporter and produces news features and interviews. He is also an alternate local host on NPR's "Morning Edition."
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