News/Commentary

‘Oh, goodness’: Reporters left hanging as Pelosi spox announces COVID infection using VERY familiar talking points

April 7, 2022 | | Print Article

A fresh wave of COVID-19 cases is sweeping Washington D.C., and the latest to test positive is fully vaccinated and boosted Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

The news comes following high-profile events at the White House at which Pelosi, 82, was present and mingling with VIPs.

Wednesday, Pelosi stood beside President Joe Biden and shook his hand after he signed into law a postal reform bill, and on Tuesday, Pelosi was seen hugging Biden and former President Barack Obama at an event celebrating the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.

At both crowded events, the attendees were mingling mask-free.

On Thursday, reporters waiting on Speaker Pelosi for a scheduled press briefing received a notification that they needed to clear the room, as Pelosi had tested positive.

“That’s why we wear masks,” one reporter can be heard commenting, as another wondered if the Speaker was in the building.

Deputy Chief of Staff Drew Hammill tweeted confirmation of the news.

“After testing negative this week, Speaker Pelosi received a positive test result for COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic,” Hammill stated. “The Speaker is fully vaccinated and boosted, and is thankful for the robust protection the vaccine has provided.”

“The Speaker will quarantine consistent with CDC guidance, and encourages everyone to get vaccinated, boosted and test regularly,” Hammill added.

It’s a familiar statement issued by many vaccinated Democrats following a positive COVID test.

Like, really familiar.

(Screengrab: Twitter)

With President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Nancy Pelosi — the top three players in the presidential line of succession — all in the same room together, the question of what were to happen should Biden, 79, contract COVID is once again hanging in the air.

At a White House press briefing last week, CNN’s MJ Lee asked Psaki what running the country would look like in the event President Biden were to come down with the virus.

“Let me reiterate this point, that we take steps over and beyond CDC recommendations and guidelines here,” Psaki replied. “I would note that, while I tested positive about 12 days ago if my math is correct, I waited to return to the office until I had a negative test, and that is our protocol here, or the protocol I was held to.”

“Also,” added Psaki, “we take steps in advance of meeting the president and anyone who is meeting the president is going to have a test that day and we also take social distancing steps in meetings when warranted.”

“We recognize that COVID-19 remains a transmissible disease, especially recent variants, and, while I’m not going to get into a future hypothetical of any of our additional principles, since the second gentlemen tested positive, I would note that the President of the United States can work from anywhere, can run the country from anywhere, and we have the capacity to not only prepare for that, but to support anything that is needed.”

Melissa Fine
Latest posts by Melissa Fine (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles