Joe Biden says Trump bears responsibility for Covid-19 infection

Joe Biden said Monday night that President Donald Trump bears responsibility for becoming infected with Covid-19 as a result of his frequent refusal to wear a mask while around others.

"Look, anybody who contracts the virus by essentially saying, 'masks don't matter, social distancing doesn't matter' — I think is responsible for what happens to them," Biden said during a NBC News town hall hosted by Lester Holt.

The Miami town hall took place in front of a socially distanced audience. Biden said that if those in attendance took off their masks and crowded around, they would also bear responsibility for what happened.

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"They're taking responsibility that, in fact, they should be held responsible for, because every major scientist and doctor and immunologist has said that's a very dangerous thing to do," Biden said. "The particles and droplets can stay in the air for a long time, longer than they thought."

Biden's comments came shortly after Trump left the Walter Reed hospital after three days of being treated for coronavirus. First lady Melania Trump also tested positive, the president announced early Friday.

Biden, who is leading Trump in national polls and several swing state surveys, has previously wished the president and the first lady a speedy recovery. 

The Trump campaign didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on Biden's remarks.

In a video that Trump posted to Twitter shortly after leaving the hospital on Monday, he acknowledged that his actions led to his infection but defended them as necessary. 

"As your leader, I had to do that, I knew there was danger to it, but I had to do it," Trump said. "I stood out front. I led. Nobody that's a leader would not do what I did. And I know there's a risk, there's a danger, but that's OK."

During the first presidential debate, Trump on Tuesday mocked Biden's frequent mask wearing. Trump said he wore a mask when needed, but "I don't wear masks like him. Every time you see him, he's got a mask." He also ridiculed the size of Biden's masks.

Biden said Monday he was happy to hear that Trump's doctors said his condition was improving. But he said that given his experience with the president, he was not shocked to learn he had become infected. 

"Quite frankly, I wasn't surprised," he said. 

Vice presidential contenders Sen. Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence are due to face off in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night.