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.”
Breaking: UAE Has Been Secretly Striking Iran, Fighting Alongside US and Israel
San Antonio Spurs Superstar Ejected After Vicious Hit – Should the NBA Suspend Him?
Trump ‘seriously considering’ plan to make Venezuela and its $40 trillion in oil permanent part of USA
Mega-mansion built on Manson murder site now a luxury rental after years of failing to find buyer
Maine progressive says he won’t back Schumer even after Democrats unite behind Collins challenger
Trump Scorches 2 SCOTUS Justices by Name: ‘Democrats don’t really need to “PACK THE COURT”‘
More than 25 charged in nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown involving guns, drugs and cash
Watch: Trump Blasts NFL Over Possible Amazon, Netflix Deal – Says Many Fans ‘Don’t Make Enough Money to Pay’
ActBlue scrutiny fuels new GOP bills to tighten election donation rules
Alabama AG makes Supreme Court play that could deal decisive blow in redistricting war
GOP lawmaker unveils historic move to ‘expunge’ both ‘maliciously false’ impeachments against Trump
Trump says Iran’s latest proposal reneges on giving up enriched material: ‘Are they stupid people?’
Developing: Virginia Dems Plotting Overthrow of Entire State Supreme Court to Save Redistricting Scheme
Two Israeli Soldiers Sentenced to Prison for Desecration of Mary Statue
WHCA dinner gunman pleads not guilty to attempted Trump assassination charges
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.
Breaking: UAE Has Been Secretly Striking Iran, Fighting Alongside US and Israel
San Antonio Spurs Superstar Ejected After Vicious Hit – Should the NBA Suspend Him?
Trump ‘seriously considering’ plan to make Venezuela and its $40 trillion in oil permanent part of USA
Mega-mansion built on Manson murder site now a luxury rental after years of failing to find buyer
Maine progressive says he won’t back Schumer even after Democrats unite behind Collins challenger
Trump Scorches 2 SCOTUS Justices by Name: ‘Democrats don’t really need to “PACK THE COURT”‘
More than 25 charged in nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown involving guns, drugs and cash
Watch: Trump Blasts NFL Over Possible Amazon, Netflix Deal – Says Many Fans ‘Don’t Make Enough Money to Pay’
ActBlue scrutiny fuels new GOP bills to tighten election donation rules
Alabama AG makes Supreme Court play that could deal decisive blow in redistricting war
GOP lawmaker unveils historic move to ‘expunge’ both ‘maliciously false’ impeachments against Trump
Trump says Iran’s latest proposal reneges on giving up enriched material: ‘Are they stupid people?’
Developing: Virginia Dems Plotting Overthrow of Entire State Supreme Court to Save Redistricting Scheme
Two Israeli Soldiers Sentenced to Prison for Desecration of Mary Statue
WHCA dinner gunman pleads not guilty to attempted Trump assassination charges
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.
