On Tuesday, the White House reported that Joe Biden will return to wearing a mask when he is around other people and indoors. This after his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, tested positive for COVID-19.
According to an update given by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the president took two coronavirus tests after the first lady contracted the disease. Pierre said that Biden tested negative both times and has no symptoms.
However, she reported that as a precaution the president will wear a mask indoors and when around other people. "As has been the practice in the past, the president will remove his mask when sufficiently distant from others indoors and while outside as well," the press secretary said.
"The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines recommended a combination of masking testing and monitoring for symptoms. The president is doing all of that, in close consultation with his physician," she added, noting that the White House currently has no updates on the COVID-19 protocols.
Biden violates his own protocol
Shortly after Pierre reported on the guidelines the president would follow, Biden was at an event where he took off his mask and went without it alongside an 81-year-old war veteran.
Pres. Biden awards the Medal of Honor to Army attack helicopter pilot Larry Taylor, who rescued a small patrol of soldiers surrounded by enemies on the ground in Vietnam more than 50 years ago. https://t.co/Rh5vr4QiWK pic.twitter.com/v0r4Ca3WMu
— ABC News (@ABC) September 5, 2023
Jill Biden with mild symptoms
The White House said in a statement last Monday afternoon that the first lady tested positive for COVID-19. So far she has only mild symptoms. However, her symptoms continue to be monitored. Jill Biden will remain at her Rehoboth Beach home.
