[ad_1]
WASHINGTON – The White House plans to hold indoor holiday receptions in the coming weeks despite ongoing Covid-19 outbreaks and advice from public health professionals urging Americans to sacrifice their usual holiday gatherings to curb the spread of the virus.
U.S. officials have warned of large gatherings on Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day, urging Americans instead to stay at home and forgo travel to see loved ones in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus and protect people. vulnerable as cases exceeded 12 million this weekend.
While the White House has said President Donald Trump and his wife Melania will stay in Washington this week, skipping their annual Thanksgiving at Trump’s private club in Florida, the first lady plans to host a holiday reception a few days later, Nov. 30, according to an invitation obtained by ABC News.
This follows a series of events at the White House in recent months that have been linked to an outbreak of epidemics, including Trump’s fight with the disease from late September through early October. A White House aide and four others have tested positive in recent days.
First Lady spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said the White House would provide “the safest environment possible” for Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations with smaller guest lists than in years past, “mandatory and available” masks, social distancing encouraged and hand sanitizer provided.
“Guests can enjoy dishes prepared individually by chefs at catering stations protected by plexiglass. All past drinks will be covered, ”she said in a statement. “Attending the parties will be a very personal choice. It’s a long-standing tradition that people visit and enjoy the joy and iconic decor of the annual Christmas celebrations at the White House. “
Health professionals within the administration have advised against large gatherings indoors.
“We want everyone to understand that these holiday season can be very popular events,” US Surgeon General Jerome Adams told ABC News in an interview Monday, urging the celebrations to be held at the exterior with as few people as possible and emphasizing the recommendations of the United States. Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention.
“These apply to the White House, they apply to the American people, they apply to everyone,” Adams said.
Yet it seemed that many Americans were not listening to advice. While the number of U.S. air travelers was still down about 60% from a year ago, federal transportation officials said on Monday that they were screening the most passengers since March.
[ad_2]
Source link