Joe Biden Supporters’ Election Celebrations Draw COVID-19 Concerns

Immediately after the 2020 presidential election was called in favor of Joe Biden, supporters all across the country took to the streets in celebration. In doing so, however, concerns arose from onlookers as thousands gathered in metropolitan areas from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, all while the coronavirus pandemic has continued to worsen during the fall.

Many people voiced their reservations about the unfolding scenes, even celebrities like country music star Morgan Wallen was among those calling out what he perceived to be a double-standard. Among the more notable figures to take part in these celebrations included Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, who were seen taking in the moment with a crowd of people in West Hollywood. While many supporters noted that masks were being worn in the gatherings, social distancing, on the other hand, didn’t seem to be on the minds of many in attendance. A similar scene, though not to the grand nature of a presidential election, unfolded later on Saturday night when Notre Dame football pulled off a massive upset over No. 1 Clemson, which resulted in the students running onto the field and celebrating, also bringing about many concerned onlookers.

Here is a look at some of the most notable reactions to the COVID-19 concerns created by the celebratory gatherings.

​

The aforementioned Wallen was the most notable celebrity to point out the double standard that he says exists in COVID precautions. Wallen also was pulled from his Saturday Night Live performance due to being seen partying at multiple bars in Alabama ahead of the show. Many share a similar sentiment to him. 

​

While there was much to be celebrated on Saturday, the coronavirus has seen its number reach record highs in the days leading up the election. After many, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, suggested the country could be reaching daily six-figure cases, the reality sank in when positives skyrocketed to more than 120,000 on Thursday. 

​

Perhaps the most energetic of the cities to been seen erupting into celebration was Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love saw itself take center stage when a pile of votes poured in on Saturday morning from Philadelphia County that pulled Biden even further ahead and officially marked the point in which the news outlets began to call the race. 

​

While many were seen partying throughout the day and into the evening hours across the country, others opted to keep the celebration within their own household. This had to do with the threat of the coronavirus and the concern of onlookers at potential COVID-19 spread. 

​

Some even wanted to see the newly elected leaders speak out and advise their supporters to be mindful in their celebration. While neither Biden or his vice president, Kamala Harris, spoke out about the scenes that occurred across the country, many who were in attendance did note that masks were worn by most of the people in the crowds. 

​

Like the below tweet discussed, there will certainly be some safety measures taken during the January inauguration of Biden as the new president. While there will continue to be a speech and some type of gathering, it will most likely not be the same spectacle that the president’s welcoming typically is. 

​

Whether or not these victory celebrations turns out to be super-spreader events or not remains to be seen. Depending on the person, coronavirus symptoms can take up to two weeks before they show after exposure, meaning it’ll be difficult to determine for at least another 14 days what some of these cities numbers look like and if those infected were in attendance at these gatherings.