WASHINGTON, D.C. (LifeSiteNews) — President Joe Biden has contracted COVID-19 despite being “fully vaccinated and twice-boosted,” the White House announced Thursday.
The president tested positive for the virus this morning, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a press release. “He has begun taking Paxlovid,” she said.
Consistent with CDC guidelines, he will isolate at the White House and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time. He has been in contact with members of the White House staff by phone this morning, and will participate in his planned meetings at the White House this morning via phone and Zoom from the residence.
Biden had tested negative Tuesday, according to the statement, and the White House “will inform all close contacts of the President during the day today, including any Members of Congress and any members of the press who interacted with the President during yesterday’s travel.”
Presidential physician Kevin O’Connor released a letter relaying that the president is currently experiencing “mild symptoms, mostly rhinorrhea (or ‘runny nose’) and fatigue, with an occasional dry cough,” and claiming that because Biden is vaccinated and boosted, “I anticipate that he will respond favorably” to Paxlovid, “as most maximally protected patients do.”
Biden, who falsely claimed almost a year ago that “you’re not going to get COVID if you have these vaccinations,” is the latest in a string of members of his administration and other prominent Democrats to contract COVID despite receiving the controversial shots.
The revelation has also intensified already-rampant speculation as to whether Biden will seek reelection, given his deep unpopularity, advanced age, and mental health. The president frequently makes odd, incoherent statements, appears lost and confused in public appearances, and maintains a “guarded” existence when not in public view, according to the New York Times.
On Wednesday, Biden appeared to casually reveal during a speech he currently had cancer from oil exposure in his youth. The White House later clarified that Biden was referring to since-removed melanoma spots, rather than a new or current diagnosis, which were caused by sun exposure, not oil.