The president of the Correspondents Association said a small number of coronavirus cases had emerged among those who attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner over the weekend.
CBS News’ Steven Portnoy, head of the White House Correspondents Association, said the cases he’s aware of so far are numbered “single-digit”.
Among those who tested positive after the gala dinner – an annual event skipped two years because of the pandemic – was Steve Herman, national correspondent for Voice of America. Jonathan Karl, ABC News’ chief correspondent in Washington, also tested positive, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Official number of cases in Washington has largely fallen since the winter Omicron surge, but there has been a modest increase since mid-April. But the true number of cases is uncertain, as home tests are often underreported. awake and asymptomatic people may not realize they are infected and potentially spread the virus.
Many people have wondered is it recommended? to rally a crowd of 2,600 into the ballroom that filled the Washington Hilton hotel. Their concerns were underscored after dozens of people, including several members of Mr Biden’s cabinet, recently tested positive after attending a smaller political meeting, the Gridiron Dinner .
Those who attended that event were asked to show proof of vaccinations, but no coronavirus test results on the same day. The White House reporters dinner required proof of vaccination and tested negative on the same day, and boosters were strongly encouraged. Masking is optional in both.
Mr. Karl’s positive test result was first reported by PoliticoThe newspaper also reported that he shook hands with President Biden at the event.
The White House, asked about that encounter, on Tuesday night pointed to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which considers “close contact” to mean spending at least 15 minutes within six feet of a person. with an infected person. White House protocols also require anyone who has ever stood on stage near the president, including Karl and Noah, to take a medically certified test, according to a person familiar with the matter. with these protocols.
Karl tested negative on Saturday afternoon and showed no symptoms, but tested positive again on Monday night, a person familiar with his condition said.
Mr. Biden, 79, did not wear a mask when making remarks on stage or as comedian Trevor Noah commented for nearly half an hour, but skipped the knife and fork part at dinner. He nodded to the safety precautions surrounding the event in his comment. “We are here to show the country that we are getting through this pandemic,” he told the crowd.
Noah candidly opens his remarks. “It is my great honor to speak tonight at the nation’s most prominent superjumbo event,” he said, as the crowd laughed. “No, actually, people, what are we doing here? Let’s be honest, what are we doing? Like, did none of you learn from Gridiron dinner? No?” More laughter.
“Do you read any of your own newspapers?” He continued, adding: “You have spent the last two years telling people how important it is to wear masks and avoid large gatherings indoors. Then the second person offers you a free dinner, you all turn into Joe Rogan. ”
The lavish gala dinner is often hosted by a number of other parties and receptions in the capital, which set their own safety guidelines.
Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Mr. Biden’s top medical adviser on the virus, pulled out of dinner last week, citing “my personal assessment of personal risk,” even though he did. Attend a related indoor-outdoor brunch event over the weekend. .
Mr Portnoy stressed on Tuesday that the procedures the reporters’ union followed for the dinner went beyond the current guidance of health authorities and pointed to an email he sent members last month. Private.
“There was nothing we did to protect the ballroom from being able to access many of the social events other organizers organized around our dinner,” he wrote in that email. “Keep that in mind.”
Zolan Kanno-Youngs contribution report.
