White House believes NOTHING (not even the deadly Delta variant) can stop the July 4 party: Psaki says administration is still expecting thousands of people in Washington despite concerns US could see 'very dense outbreaks'
White House press secretary Jen Psaki dismissed questions Monday about whether hosting a large gathering on the Fourth of July was 'risky' with the emergence of the Delta COVID-19 variant.
'I don't anticipate at this point our plans changing,' she told reporters at the press briefing, also saying, 'we are confident in our plans moving forward for July 4.'
Psaki was asked if it was 'too soon' for the White House - and for Washington, D.C., which will allow crowds to watch the fireworks from the National Mall - to be having largescale events, something the Trump administration was criticized for last year.
Experts, including former Food and Drug Administration commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, have warned that the U.S. could see COVID-19 numbers tick up again thanks to the Indian 'Delta' variant.
'It's not going to be as pervasive,' Gottlieb said Sunday on Face the Nation. 'It's going to hyper-regionalized. There's certain pockets of the country where you're going to have very dense outbreaks.'
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that the administration was 'confident in our plans moving forward for July 4.' The White House will host 1,000 people on the South Lawn, while Washington, D.C. will allow the public to use the Mall to watch fireworks
President Joe Biden is planning to hold a Fourth of July event on the South Lawn, similar to the one former President Donald Trump hosted in 2018
Members of the general public will also be able to use the National Mall to watch Washington, D.C.'s fireworks display. Here people await the firesworks on July 4, 2019
Fireworks illuminate the National Mall on the Fourth of July in 2018
Gottlieb said that states with lower vaccination rates could see problems.
Psaki reiterated that point.
'Let me first say that we have been, our North Star has been data and has been scientists, has been the advice of our medical experts at every point since the president took office,' the press secretary replied.
She pointed out that a 'majority' of the Delta COVID-19 cases have been among the unvaccinated.
'We may see some vaccinated people who test positive for COVID, of course, as we know from the data. But those people often have mild symptoms, remain out of the hospital, and the best way we continue to convey to people across the country to protect yourself is to get vaccinated,' she continued.
Psaki then implored Americans under the age of 27, who are being vaccinate at a lower rate, to go get their jabs.
'So I would say we, of course, will continue to evaluate any steps that need to be taken to protect the public, protect the American people, but we have made significant progress and we are confident in our plans moving forward for July 4,' Psaki said.
She was then asked if anything would move the White House to change its party plans.
'I don't anticipate at this point our plans changing,' she said. 'We, of course, are always driven by the advice of our health and medical experts, but beyond that I don't anticipate that at this point.'
The White House is expected to host 1,000 people on the South Lawn - drawing from first responder and military communities - while thousands of members of the public generally show up on the Mall for the fireworks display.
The Biden administration still hasn't said whether guests attending the Fourth of July event on White House grounds will have to show proof of vaccination or be tested.
'I'll have to check with our team,' Psaki said when asked about the COVID-19 protocols for the event at the Monday briefing.
Former Food and Drug Administration commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb warned there could be 'very dense outbreaks' in states with lower vaccination rates as the Delta COVID-19 variant becomes prevalent