Joe Biden’s attempt to ‘insert himself into coronavirus pandemic response is making everyone’s job harder’
JOE Biden's staff sent an email offering help to governors amid the coronavirus pandemic – but one adviser said it makes their jobs more difficult.
The former vice president's offer came the same day that gave his advice to on how the president could handle the pandemic in the U.S.
In an email obtained by the , 77-year-old Biden's adviser, Stacy Eichner, offered to connect governors across the U.S. with resources presented to the ex-VP amid the pandemic.
The email said Biden's office was "eager to connect those offering help with those in need of it" and that they'd "like to provide these individuals and organizations with a way to reach your offices directly."
Some officials said Biden's attempt to insert himself into the virus response was not helping, however, and at least two states with Republican governors said they did not receive the offer.
“It actually makes our job harder," one governor's adviser, who received the email, told the New York Post.
"We have a process in place for deploying and acquiring resources, as well as engaging in missions,” the source said of the federal processes.
Some states have expressed a – including test kits, ventilators, face masks, and other for health workers – amid the virus pandemic.
Governor said the , as NYC quickly became the nation's epicenter.
Many other states as they braced for waves of incoming virus cases.
The adviser told the New York Post the outside offer "complicates things and smells of cronyism," and questioned why the people that offered resources to Biden are not working directly with the federal government.
The adviser questioned, "or if they are, why are they holding back needed resources?"
Offices in and – which both have Republican Governors – told the New York Post they did not receive the email extending the aid.
A spokesperson for the former VP denied the report, however.
The spokesperson told the New York Post the offer was sent to governors of all 50 U.S. states – both Democrats and Republicans – as well as Puerto Rico.
Biden has previously criticized Trump's handling of the coronavirus – as he said last week to give his advice.
Yesterday, the two finally had their call, both Trump and Biden confirmed – the same day the aid was offered to states from the VP's office.
Trump said he and Biden both agreed to not disclose details of the call – but said the "friendly" conversation on coronavirus lasted around 15 minutes.
"He gave me his point of view and I understood that," Trump said of Biden.
“It doesn't mean that I agree with those suggestions."
Trump said he appreciated Biden's call, however, and added: "I also told him some of the things we were doing."
Kate Bedingfield, Biden's campaign manager, separately confirmed the former VP offered Trump advice and “expressed his appreciation for the spirit of the American people in meeting the challenges facing the nation.”
The call came after for not phoning him yet.
Trump questioned: "what ever happened to that phone call he told the Fake News he wanted to make to me?"
Biden responded on Twitter he was "Happy to discuss anytime."
The former VP, who saw both the swine flu pandemic in 2009 and the 2014 Ebola outbreak while he was in the White House on the Obama administration, has been vocal about his disapproval of Trump's handling of coronavirus.
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“Listen to the scientists. Listen to the doctors. Listen to what they have to say," Biden urged late last month on , as he
"And I would respectfully suggest that you should have Dr. Fauci on a lot more than the President, or anyone who's not an expert like Fauci laying out exactly what's going on," Biden said, advising infectious disease expert be given more speaking time at coronavirus press conferences.
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