Biden Covid testing receives a 'no comment' from the White House
Key Takeaways:
- The White House has quickly reversed, declining to comment on President Joe Biden's Covid-19 testing schedule but stating that the public will be notified if he tests positive for the coronavirus.
- Biden has been tested more frequently due to close encounters with people who have since tested positive for Covid-19 or his travel schedule.
- According to Jean-Pierre, the White House will notify the public if Biden tests positive or is classified as a "close contact" of someone who tests positive.
The White House has abruptly changed course, failing to comment on President Joe Biden's Covid-19 testing schedule, although maintaining that the public will be informed if he tests positive for the coronavirus.
The White House had repeatedly responded to reporters' concerns about when Biden, 79, last tested negative for the virus since Inauguration Day. The White House has now stated that it will not respond to these queries.
"I'm suggesting he has a regular cadence," says the narrator "Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, refused to specify when he last tested negative on Thursday. "I'm afraid I don't have a date to provide you, but he does have a weekly schedule."
"Our approach is not to readout every test POTUS has taken," deputy press secretary Chris Meagher tweeted Thursday in response to Jean-remarks." Pierre's
Because of close brushes with people who have since tested positive for Covid-19 or his travel schedule, Biden has been tested more regularly. Moreover, the White House had been more forthcoming about Biden's testing in the past.
Last February, then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki stated, "To keep candid with you and the American people, we wanted to disclose that the President tested negative for Covid-19 on Monday." "We will attempt to deliver this information the following day."
Psaki told reporters on May 4 that Biden had tested negative the day before.
The new, more secretive approach comes as top White House officials have indeed been blunt about the president's chances of contracting Covid, a reflection of how ingrained the virus became in society — and how much less of a threat it poses to those who are up - to - date on their vaccinations and also have access to treatments.
Jean-Pierre said on Thursday that if Biden tests positive or is labeled a "close contact" of someone who tests positive, the White House will inform the public. The White House utilizes the CDC's definition of "close contact," which is being in the presence of somebody with known or suspected Covid-19 for more than 15 minutes or being within 6 feet of someone with the virus for up to two days before testing positive.
Biden has never tested positive for Covid-19, according to the White House.