Psaki is not calling the Texas Dems’ trip to DC a ‘super distributor’ as more officials show positive results

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The White House said Tuesday that they are not describing the trip Democrats made from Texas to Washington as a “super-spread” event, as more officials who attended the meeting tested positive for COVID-19.

Fox News White House reporter Peter Dossey on Tuesday asked White House press secretary Jen Psaki whether the event was considered “super-spread,” saying that “more than 10%” of Texas Democrats traveling have tested positive.

“This is not a characterization we do here,” Psaki said, referring to the term “super distributor.” “Vaccines are not foolproof. We know the vaccines – I think these individuals have been vaccinated. That’s a good sign.”

Pelosi Vaccine and White House Staff Test Positive for COVID-19 COVID

News of the hack comes after six members of the Texas delegation tested positive for the virus after leaving the state capital and coming to Washington last week in an attempt to thwart a special legislative session in which Republicans are seeking to pass new electoral reforms.

Dossey asked about the White House’s message to Texas Democrats after the meeting.

Psaki said: “Our message continues to be ‘Thank you for defending voting rights’.”

Dossey pressed Psaki about whether President Biden supports the reinstatement of mask mandates in states across the country.

“This is not what we establish from the federal government,” Psaki said, adding that “nothing has changed with the guidance of the American public,” noting that vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks or face coverings, while officials recommend it. Non-vaccinated individuals wear masks.

“Anything we identify will be directed by medical experts,” Psaki said.

Psaki’s comments come after a White House official and a staff member of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, of California, tested positive for COVID-19.

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“According to our strict COVID-19 protocols, the official remains off campus while awaiting confirmatory PCR testing,” a White House official said. “The White House Medical Unit conducted contact tracing interviews and concluded that there were no close contacts between my White House managers and staff. The individual had mild symptoms.”

The official added that the administration knows “there will be cases of breakthrough, but as this case shows, cases in vaccinated individuals are usually mild.”

“The White House is prepared for paranormal issues with regular testing,” the official said. “This is another reminder of the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against severe illness or hospitalization.”

“We wish our colleague a speedy recovery,” the official added.

Psaki confirmed Monday that Vice President Kamala Harris met with members of the Texas delegation last Tuesday, but has since tested negative for COVID-19.

“I believe the vice president’s office reported that she was tested and no COVID-19 detected,” Psaki said. “They have also put in some specific details about their proximity to individuals who have also tested positive. We take these precautions incredibly seriously and adhere to the guidelines of our assistance and medical experts.”

Meanwhile, Pelosi’s top aide, Drew Hamill, said the unidentified employee was fully vaccinated and had no recent contact with California’s top Democrat, though the spokesperson’s office is taking extra precautions as a result.

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“Yesterday, a fully vaccinated senior speaker in the spokesperson’s press office tested positive for COVID after contacting members of the Texas legislature last week,” Hamill said in a statement obtained by Fox News.

“This individual has not been in contact with the spokesperson since it was revealed. The entire press office is working remotely today except for individuals who have not been exposed to the individual or have recently tested negative. Our office will continue to closely follow the guidance from the treating physician’s office.”

On Tuesday, Pelosi and her staff were seen wearing masks again at the Capitol. After mask restrictions were eased by a Capitol physician, many members have chosen not to use masks in recent weeks.

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