Dr. Anthony Fauci canceled plans to attend Saturday's White House Correspondents' Association dinner after assessing his risk for contracting the coronavirus, sources told CNN’s Reliable Sources.
The decision by the nation’s top infectious disease doctor comes amid concerns that the dinner could become a superspreader event, much like the annual Gridiron dinner held weeks ago, although COVID-19 precautions are being taken.
Fauci's decision also comes as the omicron sub-variant sweeps the nation. Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for the coronavirus this week.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced that Biden will attend the dinner Saturday, saying that “just like many Americans, he makes risk assessments. It’s possible the president could test positive.”
Although the White House acknowledges that coronavirus is not over, officials are certain they have the tools necessary to keep the president safe.
According to Politico, White House officials have calculated that if the administration is telling the American people that the nation is turning a corner, Biden’s behavior should reflect that.
Biden is keeping to a busy public schedule, including plans on Wednesday to attend the the funeral for former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, as well as heading to Minnesota on Sunday for the memorial service for former Vice President Walter Mondale.
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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