Coronavirus pauses Gov. Cooper’s fundraisers, but the candidates still want your money
Gov. Roy Cooper has suspended in-person campaigning for his re-election as he leads the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
That hasn’t kept his campaign from sending requests for campaign contributions via email. Both the Democratic governor and his challenger, Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, have continued their appeals for money this week.
Cooper’s campaign announced Thursday that it is “pulling down all in-person campaign events,” including fundraisers, for the next 30 days. However, his campaign will have virtual events and “online engagement of voters” during that period, it said in a news release.
“This campaign is heeding the advice of Governor Cooper and top health experts to make sure we do what we can to protect the health and safety of North Carolinians,” campaign manager Trey Nix said in an emailed statement.
Cooper and Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen called for cancellation or postponement of all gatherings in North Carolina of more than 100 people, which includes church services, sporting events and arts and entertainment performances. Schools mostly haven’t been closed so far, but assemblies are included in the guidance. Cooper said it is guidance at this point but he has the power to make it mandatory.
Forest’s campaign is also making some changes.
“In light of the public health risk posed by COVID-19, we have canceled some events, postponed others, and we will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis,” Forest’s campaign spokesperson Andrew Dunn told The News & Observer Thursday evening via text.
As of Thursday evening, Forest’s campaign Facebook page lists several upcoming fundraising events.
A fundraising email Wednesday evening from Forest’s campaign asked supporters to contribute as “an investment in the future of our country.”
A fundraising email from the Cooper campaign Thursday said the campaign needs to raise $20,000 by Sunday at midnight to show the Republican Governors Association, which supports Forest, “the strength of this grassroots movement.” An update later in the day said the campaign was still $14,723 short of that goal.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
For more North Carolina government and politics news, listen to the Domecast politics podcast from The News & Observer and the NC Insider. You can find it on Megaphone, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 8:44 PM.
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