Asked whether the party would hold regional events, Democratic National Convention Committee spokesperson Ofirah Yheskel said, "The specifics of the satellites have not yet been finalized.”

Democratic officials said any choices will be made in consultation with two epidemiologists, Ian Lipkin and Larry Brilliant, that they have hired. They also said they have done several calls with DNC members and state parties to discuss ideas for the convention.

"We are getting input from health professionals, which will guide our decision-making on all fronts,” said Xochitl Hinojosa, communications director for the Democratic National Committee. "We aren't like Republicans who are putting people's lives at risk."

A look at the difficulties that Pennsylvania Democrats are grappling with as they finalize their own state convention demonstrates the challenges faced by the national party in establishing even small get-togethers.

Nancy Patton Mills, leader of the state’s Democratic Party, said county representatives were recently planning to gather all in one room for their convention later this month. But they scrapped that idea due to the virus. Instead, they are going to hold a completely virtual meeting.

“It will be very difficult because you have motions from the floor and seconds and people have to vote,” she said. “For the DNC, they’re going to organize 50 states and seven territories. Honestly, I think it’s what we’re doing but on steroids.”

While Mills said she would ideally like for delegates in her state to have the option of attending the national convention in August virtually or at locations throughout Pennsylvania, depending on what they are most comfortable with, Mills expressed doubts about regional events.

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