Coronavirus Coordinator Explains Decision Amid Concerns Over Delta Variant
Americans celebrated the nation’s 245th birthday on Sunday with traditional festivities, including fireworks, hotdogs, and marching bands, marking a return to normalcy after the pandemic halted nearly all celebrations the previous year.
However, the White House opted not to mandate masks or vaccinations for its Fourth of July party, even as health officials raised concerns about the Delta variant. Coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients defended the decision, explaining that vaccinated individuals were protected from the virus and, therefore, did not need to wear masks. He emphasized that the unvaccinated would need to mask up to ensure safety.
Zients also highlighted the rigorous testing and screening protocols in place at the White House, which hosted around 1,000 guests on the lawn. This came a day after President Joe Biden interacted with mostly maskless crowds at a cherry-picking festival in Michigan.
