Michael Bloomberg has said he will eat at a Chinese restaurant in the coming days to show solidarity with businesses who have been hit by public fears about coronavirus.
The multi-billionaire and Democratic presidential candidate made the pledge during a Fox News town hall event in Virginia as he hopes to kickstart his 2020 campaign with a strong performance in Super Tuesday this week.
Mr Bloomberg was asked by Fox News’ Bret Baier how he would deal with the impact of coronavirus on the US economy.
“It’s not the economics, it’s the people that are afraid to go out,” he replied, as he argued financial solutions, such as tax cuts, were not the only way to help businesses during the outbreak.
“Go to Chinese restaurants all across the country here in America, where there’s no reason to think whatsoever that you’re going to catch the flu but people aren’t patronising them.”
Fact Check: Did Bad Bunny Feature Viral 5-Year-Old Liam Ramos in Super Bowl Halftime Show?
DHS urges Newsom to honor ICE detainers after federal agent assaulted while arresting illegal alien at jail
Supreme Court Justice Alito says ‘things are so different’ since Scalia’s death
Clinton Judge Responds to California’s Attempts to Unmask ICE Agents
Trump thanked Florida police for Epstein probe in 2000s, flagged ‘evil’ Ghislaine Maxwell: FBI doc
Progressive backed by Sanders, AOC pulls off upset ballot box shocker in Democratic congressional primary
US Skier Lindsey Vonn Reveals Extent of Her Injuries After Brutal Crash Ends Her Olympics — And Possibly Career
Who Would Have Guessed? Transit Agency in Cold-Weather State Buys EV Buses, Can’t Use Them in Freezing Cold
Embattled labor secretary has history of questionable spending that eluded Congress
Two snowmobilers in Wyoming killed in separate accidents
What to know about Tuesday’s House hearing on foreign influence in American nonprofits: ‘Follow the money’
Hawley targets Minnesota fraud, CCP-linked money at Senate hearing: ‘Taxpayers robbed blind’
Final Deadline Passes: Sheriff’s Department Chasing ‘New Leads’ in Nancy Guthrie Case
Brown University shooting victim ‘froze’ when detectives showed her image of suspect, police report shows
‘Only Trump-endorsed candidate’: Burt Jones flexes MAGA muscle after Georgia gubernatorial shake-up
Mr Bloomberg added: “I thought to myself tonight, ‘I’m going to go to a Chinese restaurant’ — it actually turns out I can’t — but I will do it tomorrow night just to show the flag and help them.”
The 78-year-old businessman has based his unconventional campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination on winning big on Tuesday, when voting takes place in 14 states.
Mr Bloomberg has opted to ignore early states, such as Iowa and New Hampshire, which are normally seen as an indicator of who will win the nomination, and has spent vast sums of money from his personal fortune to fund his campaign.
The former mayor of New York has spent more than $501m (£392m) on television, radio and digital advertising since entering the race, according to CNN.
On Sunday night, he broadcast a three-minute advert on the coronavirus outbreak that mimicked a presidential TV address and reportedly cost more than $1.5m.
Fact Check: Did Bad Bunny Feature Viral 5-Year-Old Liam Ramos in Super Bowl Halftime Show?
DHS urges Newsom to honor ICE detainers after federal agent assaulted while arresting illegal alien at jail
Supreme Court Justice Alito says ‘things are so different’ since Scalia’s death
Clinton Judge Responds to California’s Attempts to Unmask ICE Agents
Trump thanked Florida police for Epstein probe in 2000s, flagged ‘evil’ Ghislaine Maxwell: FBI doc
Progressive backed by Sanders, AOC pulls off upset ballot box shocker in Democratic congressional primary
US Skier Lindsey Vonn Reveals Extent of Her Injuries After Brutal Crash Ends Her Olympics — And Possibly Career
Who Would Have Guessed? Transit Agency in Cold-Weather State Buys EV Buses, Can’t Use Them in Freezing Cold
Embattled labor secretary has history of questionable spending that eluded Congress
Two snowmobilers in Wyoming killed in separate accidents
What to know about Tuesday’s House hearing on foreign influence in American nonprofits: ‘Follow the money’
Hawley targets Minnesota fraud, CCP-linked money at Senate hearing: ‘Taxpayers robbed blind’
Final Deadline Passes: Sheriff’s Department Chasing ‘New Leads’ in Nancy Guthrie Case
Brown University shooting victim ‘froze’ when detectives showed her image of suspect, police report shows
‘Only Trump-endorsed candidate’: Burt Jones flexes MAGA muscle after Georgia gubernatorial shake-up
Critics of the businessman have accused him of attempting to buy the nomination with his personal wealth, by ignoring traditional campaign events and spending huge amounts of money on advertising.
During a bruising Democratic debate last month, Mr Bloomberg was also targeted by another Democratic candidate, Elizabeth Warren, over his past comments about women and the use of non-disclosure agreements at his company.
“I’d like to talk about who we are running against. A billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians. And no, I am not talking about Donald Trump. I am talking about Mayor Bloomberg,” Ms Warren said during the debate.
“Look, I’ll support whoever the Democratic nominee is, but understand this, Democrats take a huge risk if we just substitute one arrogant billionaire for another.”
As of Tuesday morning, Mr Bloomberg was in third place in the Democratic race, according to a polling average from RealClearPolitics.
Story cited here.
