National DNC chair says convention not in jeopardy

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As more events are changed or canceled due to coronavirus, concern grows about the Democratic National Convention coming to Milwaukee. 

"It now feels like the way things are going, there's almost no circumstances under which I can imagine a Democratic National Convention happening in Milwaukee this summer," said MSNBC host Rachel Maddow. 

"The idea of everybody being gathered in July in one of these places under one of these domes is very hard to imagine as we sit here now," said political analyst Lawrence O'Donnell.

The DNC is four months away, and we have no way of knowing how the outbreak will play out by then. 

"I don't think the Democratic Convention is in jeopardy," DNC Chair Tom Perez told NPR. "We are in contact with both federal, state, local authorities on a daily basis, a regular basis. I met with some folks today and I'm confident we can put that on."

In a statement, DNC Host Committee CEO Joe Solmonese said:

"Ensuring the safety of convention attendees and local residents is—and will always remain—our top priority. Every convention necessitates developing a number of contingency plans to provide for a variety of scenarios. As we prepare to welcome Americans to Milwaukee this summer, the convention team will remain in constant communication with the local, state, and federal authorities responsible for protecting public health and security. We will continue to monitor this developing situation closely and follow the guidance of the CDC and state and local health officials in the days and weeks ahead."