Despite the pandemic, the White House is moving ahead with a series of indoor holiday parties.
The first holiday party was held on Monday afternoon at the White House, according to The Washington Post.
Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for first lady Melania Trump, said measures will be taken to protect guests at the events.
“This includes smaller guest lists, masks will be required and available, social distancing encouraged while on the White House grounds, and hand sanitizer stations throughout the State Floor,” Grisham said.
“Guests will enjoy food individually plated by chefs at plexiglass-protected food stations. All passed beverages will be covered. All service staff will wear masks and gloves to comply with food safety guidelines. Attending the parties will be a very personal choice.”
The parties will celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and other religious holidays, according to the newspaper. Those attending will include donors, lawmakers, senior staffers on Capitol Hill, family members of White House aides, and prominent conservative supporters.
President Donald Trump and his wife usually make an appearance at the parties.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indoor gatherings pose more risks than outdoor congregations. But the CDC does not have a limit on the number of attendees for gatherings.
Meanwhile, Melania Trump showed off the White House’s holiday decorations in a one-minute video posted to her Twitter account on Monday.
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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