World News: This is the coronavirus task force

Thursday, February 27

President Donald Trump declares that the U.S. is ready for whatever the coronavirus threat brings, as he puts Vice President Mike Pence in charge of overseeing the nation's response. (Feb. 26)

How will the coronavirus response work and why was Mike Pence put in charge? And, who is leading in South Carolina?

Can Pence lead the charge against the Coronavirus?

President Trump's decision to put Mike Pence in charge of the nation's response to the coronavirus drew almost immediate criticism and callbacks to the vice president's role in an HIV outbreak in Indiana when he was governor.

That decision continued to be a talking point on Thursday as experts debated whether Pence should be the one leading a task force and if the administration's previous cuts to agencies now dealing with the response will hurt that effort.

•	First coronavirus case of unknown origin confirmed in US. What does that mean?
•	Everything to know about COVID-19, the deadly virus alarming the world
•	What we know about the White House coronavirus task force

Biden appears to be running away with South Carolina

Results of a poll released Thursday morning show former Vice President Joe Biden holds a commanding lead in the South Carolina Democratic presidential primary, with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and businessman Tom Steyer in a close battle for second.

Prepare to read math.

The Monmouth University poll showed Biden's support in South Carolina stands at 36%, with Sanders receiving 16% and Steyer at 15%. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren was at 8% and Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, had 6%. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar had 4%, and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard was at 1%.

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•	How billionaire Michael Bloomberg is campaigning for the White House

Your vote matters

With so many candidates and so many issues, you probably have questions. Well, we have answers. Cut through the noise to dig deep on the candidates for president, where they stand on the issues and how to make sure you're ready to vote.

•	Don't have a lot of time? Find FAQs on the key issues
•	Let's make this easy. Only people who are registered can vote. Check your status
•	Ahead of the 2020 election, we're asking voters about the issue most important to them. This is what they told us
•	We asked the 2020 presidential candidates their thoughts on medical and recreational marijuana and how they would handle the opioid crisis. Here's what they said