OnPolitics: Coronavirus news, obviously

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.

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%.

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.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus: Trump administration responds to health scare