The White House is planning to host festivities, including holiday parties, which kicked off Monday with the arrival of the White House Christmas tree. Point to be noted that public health officials are sounding alarms and urging Americans not to travel and limit gatherings this holiday season amid a new surge in coronavirus cases. A spokeswoman and chief of staff for First Lady Melania Trump, Stephanie Grisham said, “Attending the parties will be a very personal choice. It is a longstanding tradition for people to visit and enjoy the cheer and iconic décor of the annual White House Christmas celebrations”. The decision to move forward with indoor events and other gatherings comes as the CDC, top White House advisers, and public health professionals across the nation have been pleading with Americans not to travel for Thanksgiving or spend the holiday with people.
The virus has been spreading out of control, as the weather has cooled. The cases and hospitalizations are increasing across the country and at least 250,000 people have lost their lives. The White House has already been the site of several suspected super-spreader events and dozens of staff, along with the president, the first lady, and their son have been infected, along with a long list of campaign aides and other advisers. Grisham also said the White House would be taking precautions to provide the safest environment possible for attendees at events. It includes smaller guest lists, requiring masks, encouraging social distancing on the White House grounds, and hand sanitizer stations placed throughout the State Floor.
Grisham said, “Guests will enjoy food individually plated by chefs at plexiglass-protected food stations. All passed beverages will be covered. All service staff will wear masks and gloves to comply with food safety guidelines”. On Monday, US Surgeon General Jerome Adams repeatedly evaded questions about indoor holiday parties scheduled at the White House while calling other Americans’ indoor gatherings potential super-spreaders events. He said, “I want the American people to know that we are at a dire point in our fight with this virus, by any measure: cases, positivity, hospitalizations, and deaths. So I’m asking Americans. I’m begging you, hold on just a little bit longer. Keep Thanksgiving and the celebrations small and smart this year. Do it outdoors if you can, keep it small, ideally less than 10, and prepare beforehand”.