During a Tuesday Press Conference, The White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki responded to a question regarding President Biden’s health issues. It was reported earlier that Biden had been in “close contact” with someone who tested positive for COIVD.
“As we stated last summer, we believe it is in the public’s interest to know if any of the four principals (President, Vice President, First Lady, and Second Gentleman) are considered to have been in close contact with a White House official who subsequently tests positive for COVID-19 shortly after that contact. The criteria for what is considered a ‘close contact’ with the principals is determined by the White House Medical Unit, in line with CDC guidance,” A White House Press Release said.
“On Monday morning, a mid-level staff member, who does not regularly have contact with the President, received a positive result for a COVID-19 test. Three days earlier, on Friday, that staff member had spent approximately 30 minutes in proximity to the President on Air Force One, on the way from Orangeburg, South Carolina to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This staff member is fully vaccinated and boosted, and tested negative prior to boarding Air Force One, as is required for everyone traveling with the President. This staff member did not begin to experience symptoms until Sunday, and was tested on Monday,” it continued.
“Others on Air Force One who were in close contact with this staff member are being contacted and will be advised to get tested per CDC guidance. The President is tested on a regular basis. As part of that regular testing, the President received an antigen test Sunday and tested negative. This morning, after being notified of the staffer’s positive test, the President received a PCR test and tested negative. He will be tested again on Wednesday,” the press release adds.
“As CDC guidance does not require fully vaccinated people to quarantine after an exposure, the President will continue with his daily schedule,” it concluded.
During a Press Conference on Tuesday, Psaki was asked about Biden’s health and updates on this press release.
To which, Psaki responded- “He’s asymptomatic. I spent several hours with him this morning, and he is feeling great. And you’ll see him at the speech shortly,” she said.
Completely avoiding if the president is well or is sick. Traditionally, “asymptomatic” is not a word that is used to describe such situations as it does not clarify if the person is sick or not.
“You said he’s asymptomatic. That is sometimes a phrase used for people who tested positive but don’t have symptoms. Do you just mean he’s not symptomatic but hasn’t tested positive?” The reporter followed up with Psaki.
“He does not have symptoms. Yes, correct,” Psaki responded.
“Can you clarify, he has not tested positive, though? Because this is causing confusion out there,” the reporter pressed.
“Yes, he — apologies, he has not tested positive. He tested negative yesterday, as we indicated. And he will be tested against tomorrow. He is not — does not have any symptoms either,” Psaki continued.
What do you make of such answers from the White House Press Secretary? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
She can’t tell the truth, she has no idea what that is