Barack Obama to Host Covid-Compliant 60th Birthday Party Amid Growing Virus Concerns, Source Says

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This weekend’s event, which will be held outdoors, will follow all public health protocols from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the source said. There will be testing for guests and a Covid safety coordinator on site.

Martha’s Vineyard in Dukes County is currently designated by the CDC as an area of ”moderate” community spread of Covid-19.

The CDC recommended wearing the mask indoors only for areas of “high” and “substantial” transmission, which includes nearly two-thirds of all US counties.

Obama’s birthday is Wednesday August 4. The Hill was the first to report on the former president’s big birthday party.

The Obamas had vacationed in Martha’s Vineyard for almost every year of Obama’s presidency. The former first family in 2019 reportedly bought a 29-acre property on the island that was listed for almost $ 12 million.

Massachusetts has a high vaccination rate. But that July 4 holiday, Provincetown, Massachusetts – also in Cape Town – was the scene of a large outbreak of groundbreaking Covid-19 cases among those vaccinated, prompting the CDC to change its recommendations for face masks.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended Obama’s party on Monday, insisting during a press briefing that the former president’s team had many protocols in place to security for the event.

Noting that Obama “has been a strong advocate for vaccinating individuals,” Psaki, who had worked in his administration, said: “What the CDC has provided advice is for indoor environments and high areas. higher substantial levels of Covid cases. This event … is outdoors, and in a moderate area. ”

Dr Francis Collins, director of the National Institute of Health, told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday that it was “best to hide” in a large group where you don’t know the immunization status of others.

“Maybe there are immunocompromised people out there who, although they are vaccinated, are not fully protected, the dynamics are changing. There will be a need for common sense there,” he said. he declares.

In lieu of gifts for the former president, guests are invited to consider giving to programs that support boys and young men of color and their families in the United States, empower teenage girls around the world, and equip the next generation. young community leaders, including the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, the Girls Opportunity Alliance or the Obama Foundation’s global leadership programs, the source added.

UPDATE: This story has been updated with additional reports on when to party.

CNN’s Veronica Stracqualursi, Nikki Carvajal, and Devan Cole contributed to this report.

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