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.”
Elite Ivy League campus latest to grapple with mass shooting as violence erupts at Brown University
FBI ousts reinstated whistleblower over unauthorized media talks, ‘poor judgment’
Breaking: Shooting at Brown University, 2 Dead
Op-Ed: The Friendly Housekeepers’ Fraud
Op-Ed: Political Division Is So Severe America Should Split in Two
Trump takes the field at Army-Navy game for coin toss, military flyover
Fact Check: No, Catholic Missionaries Didn’t Put 200 Canadian Natives in Mass Graves Near a School – the Entire Slaughter Was a Fraud from the Start
At least 2 dead, 8 in critical condition after mass shooting at Brown University; manhunt underway for suspect
Trump vows ‘very serious retaliation’ against ISIS after deadly Syria ambush kills US soldiers
Maduro trapped with few retaliation options after Trump admin seizes Venezuelan oil tanker
Israel kills top Hamas commander hours after terrorists attacked Israeli soldiers
Despite Legendary Season From Ohtani, Time Goes With Woke Pick for ‘Athlete of the Year’
Man uncovers missing father’s bones buried beneath family home, unleashing ‘a thousand’ other secrets
Elon Musk blasts Newsom’s office, says his son is battling mental illness due to ‘evil woke mind virus’
It Worked: Dems Line Up Behind Moronic Firebrand Republicans Picked For Swing Senate Seat
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.
Elite Ivy League campus latest to grapple with mass shooting as violence erupts at Brown University
FBI ousts reinstated whistleblower over unauthorized media talks, ‘poor judgment’
Breaking: Shooting at Brown University, 2 Dead
Op-Ed: The Friendly Housekeepers’ Fraud
Op-Ed: Political Division Is So Severe America Should Split in Two
Trump takes the field at Army-Navy game for coin toss, military flyover
Fact Check: No, Catholic Missionaries Didn’t Put 200 Canadian Natives in Mass Graves Near a School – the Entire Slaughter Was a Fraud from the Start
At least 2 dead, 8 in critical condition after mass shooting at Brown University; manhunt underway for suspect
Trump vows ‘very serious retaliation’ against ISIS after deadly Syria ambush kills US soldiers
Maduro trapped with few retaliation options after Trump admin seizes Venezuelan oil tanker
Israel kills top Hamas commander hours after terrorists attacked Israeli soldiers
Despite Legendary Season From Ohtani, Time Goes With Woke Pick for ‘Athlete of the Year’
Man uncovers missing father’s bones buried beneath family home, unleashing ‘a thousand’ other secrets
Elon Musk blasts Newsom’s office, says his son is battling mental illness due to ‘evil woke mind virus’
It Worked: Dems Line Up Behind Moronic Firebrand Republicans Picked For Swing Senate Seat
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.
