Stanford Researchers Say Trump’s Rallies Led To More Than 30,000 COVID-19 Cases And More Than 700 Deaths

According to a study by four Stanford University researchers, Donald Trump’s campaign rallies led to more than 30,000 cases of COVID-19.

The study analyzed 18 Trump rallies held between June 20 and September 22 and COVID-19 data from the weeks following the events. According to Vox, the study compared the rate of post-rally infections in the counties that hosted events to comparable counties that did not host an event.

Researchers found that the rallies ultimately led to 30,000 confirmed COID-19 cases and led to more than 700 deaths, “not necessarily among attendees.” Meaning, an attendee of one of the rallies that became infected with the virus gave it to someone else who gave it to another person who dies of COVID-19.

The variables involved in the different rallies made analyzing the data incredibly tricky. Factors such as whether the event was held indoors or outdoor, if attendees wore masks, how many people were in attendance, and “the distribution of infected individuals among rally attendees” all contribute to the infection rate.

The paper’s authors are listed as lead author B. Douglas Bernheim, an economics professor at Stanford, and grad students Nina Buchmann, Zach Freitas-Groff, and Sebastián Otero.

The study supports medical professionals’ opinion that social distancing and wearing masks can help slow the infection spread. But, gathering in large groups of mostly unmasked people will contribute to high transmission rates. The paper has not yet undergone a peer review.

“Trump rallies took place paid a high price in terms of disease and death,” the paper concludes.

Trump has frequently downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic, choosing to hold in-person rallies despite professional medical advice that these events can be “superspreader events.”

On Friday, leading infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci said that the U.S. reports an “extremely high and quite unacceptable” daily number of cases leading up to the winter season. Fauci appeared on SiriusXM’s “Doctor Radio Reports,” where he urged people to wear masks, social distance, and spend time outdoors.

“We’re in a precarious position over the next several weeks to months,” the doctor said.