On Tuesday, the White House confirmed that they had not publicly disclosed the numbers of coronavirus cases contracted by staff who have been fully vaccinated.
The revelation comes after Texas Democrats who tested positive for COVID-19 met last week with Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrat political leaders. A Pelosi staffer contracted the virus after meeting with the Texas delegation.
VP Harris gets applause from Texas Democratic lawmakers as she joins their meeting in D.C. pic.twitter.com/rhsHvl98HK
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) July 13, 2021
Psaki Admits Other Fully Vaccinated Staff Have Been Infected
Psaki did say that a fully vaccinated White House official tested positive for COVID-19, but the reactions had been mild.
Psaki said, “This is another reminder of the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines against severe illness or hospitalizations.”
Questions about White House transparency about COVID-19 came about during an exchange with CBS reporter Ed O’Keefe.
O’Keefe asked, “You confirmed today there’s been a breakthrough case.”
Psaki replied, “Yep.”
O’Keefe asked, “But you’re also confirming there have been other breakthrough cases?”
Psaki responded, “Yep.”
O’Keefe then queried, “But you had not previously disclosed that there had been?”
“And — that’s correct,” Psaki replied.
O'Keefe: "You confirmed today there's been a breakthrough case."
Psaki: "Yep."
O'Keefe: "But you're also confirming there have been other breakthrough cases?"
Psaki: "Yep."
O'Keefe: "But you had not previously disclosed that there had been?"
Psaki: "And — that's correct."— Kathryn Watson (@kathrynw5) July 20, 2021
Psaki Does Not Call Texas Dems Fiasco A ‘Superspreader’ Event
According to an Axios report, the COVID-19-positive White House official had attended a reception for Texas Democrats who left their state to avoid voting for a Republican-backed election integrity bill.
Six of these Democrats have since tested positive for the coronavirus.
Yet, Psaki would not call the White House visit by these Texas lawmakers a “superspreader” event and noted that the Biden administration supports their decision to take the trip and their overall cause.
“We certainly understand there will be breakthrough cases,” Psaki said. “Even vaccines that are incredibly effective are not foolproof. They’re not 100 percent effective. We’ve seen that.”
Three Texas democrats tested positive for COVID in DC.
Let’s be clear: I wish them well & hope they have a speedy recovery.
Texas democrats endangered lives on their reckless, maskless, binge drinking trip to DC.
They’ll lose seats in 2022 because of it.
— #ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) July 17, 2021
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