While Americans are strongly urged to stay home this holiday season and cancel in-person gatherings amid a rising surge of Covid-19 cases, the White House is still planning to host holiday parties despite dire warnings from health experts, after the September Rose Garden even that Dr. Anthony Fauci called “a super-spreader event.”
The coronavirus has already killed more than a quarter-million Americans. U.S. public officials have cautioned that large, indoor holiday gatherings during these coming months could lead to a dramatic uptick in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.
On Sunday, Melania Trump’s spokeswoman and chief of staff, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement that all White House events will take place in “the safest environment possible” and noted the series of planned precautions. The White House’s gatherings contradict all government warnings on events staged even partially indoors.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the “safest choice” for Thanksgiving get-togethers to celebrate is “virtually or with the people you live with.” If Americans do host a gathering, they should eat outside and limit the number of guests.
On Monday, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams told ABC News that the CDC’s tips “apply to the White House, they apply to the American people, they apply to everyone.”
“We want everyone to understand that these holiday celebrations can be super-spreader events,” he said in an interview with ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Cecilia Vega on “Good Morning America.”
The White House gatherings are scheduled to begin later this month, soon after the Thanksgiving holiday, which may give rise to another dangerous COVID-19 surge. ABC News obtained an invitation to a holiday reception scheduled for Nov. 30.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, the White House typically holds a series of holiday parties, which traditionally takes place on the first floor, called the State Floor, where guests are allowed to wander freely through the decorated ceremonial rooms.
Melania Trump is scheduled to receive the official White House Christmas tree on Monday, and the building has already been bedecked with wreaths.
According to Grisham, this year’s events will take place partly outdoors, on the State Floor. He added that there are “smaller guest lists” and says that “masks will be required and available,” with social distancing measures encouraged and hand sanitizer stations posted throughout.
“Guests will enjoy food individually plated by chefs at plexiglass-protected food stations,” Grisham added. “All passed beverages will be covered. All service staff will wear masks and gloves to comply with food-safety guidelines.”
There is still some concern that the White House staff and its attendees will actually wear masks since Donald Trump and Melania are frequently seen without face coverings, as do many members of the West Wing’s staff and Republican members of Congress who are expected to be in attendance at such gatherings.
Trump, Melania, and two of the president’s children, and several high-ranking staffers have all tested positive for COVID-19.
“Attending the parties will be a very personal choice,” Grisham said. “It is a longstanding tradition for people to visit and enjoy the cheer and iconic decor of the annual White House Christmas celebrations.”
The invitations have gone out for the holiday receptions at the White House—parties set to be held indoors.
It's a move that flies in the face of the administration's own warnings amid rising COVID numbers.@KarenTravers has more: https://t.co/OBYNoPYvKz pic.twitter.com/iRB0AyMXT4
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) November 23, 2020
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