This morning, White House Covid-19 response coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha said that he had spoken to President Biden and his doctors and said the president is “doing just fine . . . as of about 10 p.m. last night he’s doing well. . . . No fevers, no change in symptoms, the dry cough, the runny nose, those were the two main things that he was feeling yesterday.”
That’s good to hear; hopefully the president’s infection comes and goes like a summer cold.
Last summer, the effort to vaccinate as many Americans as possible was in full swing, and it’s clear the president oversold the protective powers of the vaccine. President Biden, during a CNN town hall, one year ago today:
DON LEMON: So, you said last month that this — that the virus is in retreat. Do you still feel that way? Is that still the case?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, the virus — look, here’s the — it’s real simple: We have a pandemic for those who haven’t gotten a vaccination. It’s that basic, that simple.
A little later, Biden added:
And so, what I say to people who are worried about a new pandemic is: Get vaccinated. If you’re vaccinated, even if you do catch the “virus,” quote, unquote — like people talk about it in normal terms — you’re in overwhelm- — not many people do. If you do, you’re not likely to get sick. You’re probably going to be symptomless. You’re not going to be in a position where you — where your life is in danger.
As many Americans learned throughout 2021, and in particular during the Omicron wave in late 2021 and early 2022, vaccination and booster shots do not prevent you from catching the virus or having symptoms. Thankfully, the vaccines and boosters dramatically reduce the likelihood of severe infections and serious outcomes like hospitalization or death.
Also during that press conference, Biden said, “Those over the age of twelve who are able to get vaccinated — if you’re vaccinated, you shouldn’t wear a mask.” By November, Biden was urging Americans to wear masks indoors again.