President Joe Biden tested negative for COVID-19 but will start wearing a mask inside as part of a cautious approach, the White House said on Sept. 5.
“Since the president was with the first lady yesterday, he will be masking while indoors and around people,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters in Washington, citing guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“He’s going to be very cautious, he’s going to wear a mask,” Ms. Jean-Pierre added later.
The CDC says that people who are exposed to COVID-19 should wear a mask as soon as they find out. They should keep wearing a mask and taking other precautions up to 10 days after the exposure even if they test negative, the public health agency recommends.
First Lady Jill Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.
President Biden tested negative on Monday and Tuesday.
Both the president, 80, and the first lady, 72, are in one of the highest-risk categories due to their age. On the other hand, COVID-19 metrics are at near-lows even with recent upticks in cases and hospitalizations.
Ms. Biden, who was with her husband in Florida on Saturday, is still experiencing mild symptoms, the White House said. Ms. Biden will stay in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware for the week.
President Biden had an event scheduled for later Tuesday. He was slated to award the Medal of Honor to Capt. Larry Taylor, who was an Army pilot during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Taylor carried out a risky maneuver to rescue members of his team in 1968.
President Biden is also preparing for a trip to the G20 summit in India. He is currently scheduled to depart on Thursday.
The White House declined to say whether a positive test would prompt the cancellation of the president’s trip.
The president and government officials traveling with him will all test before the trip.
President Biden will be tested “on a regular cadence determined by his physician,” Ms. Jean-Pierre said. She would not say how often he would be tested.
President Biden and Ms. Biden have received a COVID-19 vaccine and multiple boosters, but the shots have proven increasingly ineffective at combating infection and severe illness.
Regulators are poised to clear a new slate of shots this month to try to stem the problem.
Despite a lack of clinical trial efficacy data and no publicly released review from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the White House has said the vaccines are safe and effective.
U.S. health officials have scheduled a meeting on vaccine recommendations on Sept. 12, signaling a decision is coming before then.
President Biden told reporters recently that his administration would likely recommend that everyone receive one of the forthcoming vaccines, even those who have received multiple doses.
China
Reports suggest China’s leader, Xi Jinping, is planning on skipping the summit in India.
Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, said Tuesday that China could “come in and play the role of a spoiler” but that other members plan to encourage the country to “set aside geopolitical questions” and help members figure out solutions to problems.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is also expected to miss the meeting.
Mr. Sullivan said it would be difficult to get a consensus on the Russia–Ukraine war, especially given that Russian representatives will be attending the summit. But he said that most members of the United Nations General Assembly view the war as an illegal act by Russia.
While in India, President Biden plans to participate in a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before taking part in summit meetings.
“Our focus is going to be on delivering for developing countries, making progress on key priorities for the American people—from climate to technology—and showing our commitment to the G20 as a forum that … can actually deliver,” Mr. Sullivan said.
The United States is also prepared to welcome the African Union as the newest permanent member of the G20.
The G20 is made up of wealthy countries in addition to the African Union and the European Union. Other members include France, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea.
From The Epoch Times
