At least 175 physicians have sent letters to the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) saying they feel it would be safe for President Trump to debate Vice President Joe Biden in person this Thursday as originally scheduled.

Last week, the commission announced it would cancel the event after their surprise announcement that they would hold a virtual debate due to President Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis was rightfully met with criticism from the Trump campaign and Republicans. In a press release, the CPD said, “It is now apparent there will be no debate on October 15, and the CPD will turn its attention to preparations for the final presidential debate scheduled for October 22.”

The New York Post has learned that doctors from across the country have written the debate commission who explain that an in-person debate can and should be held safely this week.

“I am a family medicine physician who has treated many COVID patients, both in hospital and in the outpatient setting. I am requesting that the Commission reverse its decision and hold an in-person debate,” wrote Dr. Joseph T. Dougherty, of Pittsburgh.

“Based on science, data, and epidemiology, the debate can, and should, be held safely in person and it is essential to do so,” he wrote.

Another physician, Dr. Jacqueline Koski, wrote, “I am a board-certified family medicine physician and additionally hold a Masters in Public Health. Regarding the upcoming presidential debate, according to the current scientific knowledge regarding Covid transmission, there should be no concern whatsoever about holding a debate with proper precautions in place.”

The NY Post reports:

Many of the doctors cited guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which states that a person infected with COVID-19 can safely be around other people 10 days after their symptoms first appeared.

…Dr. Sean Conley, the physician to the president, cleared Trump to return to public engagements on Saturday after completing treatment for COVID-19 and Trump has already scheduled a White House event on Saturday and a Florida rally on Monday.