White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that COVID-19 isn’t over after a Republican congressman said he wouldn’t attend a reception hosted by President Biden because of a coronavirus testing requirement, despite Biden previously saying that the “pandemic is over.”
Jean-Pierre made the comment during a Tuesday press conference after Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said he wouldn’t attend a White House reception for freshman House members because of a mandatory vaccination attestation and negative COVID-19 test result.
“We have protections in place to protect staff and the president of the United States. COVID isn’t over. We’ve been very clear about that,” Jean-Pierre said. “Hundreds of Americans are dying every day and cases are increasing right now today. That’s why we take common sense measures like COVID testing ahead of large indoor gatherings at the White House.”
In a statement, LaLota said that he’s rejecting Biden’s invitation to the freshman reception over the COVID-19…
