1. CDC Guidelines Require You To Wear Mask Again
The President was briefed with a new CDC guideline today, which applies not only to unvaccinated people but also vaccinated people. The CDC changed its’ guideline and is now asking that vaccinated people wear their masks indoors in highly transmissible places.
This is a bold step for them, considering how the President repeatedly stated this is the “summer of freedom” and that we have escaped from the virus. However, the Delta variant is on the rise and is affecting both vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans. To combat this, the CDC and Biden administration are going back on their statement and now advocating for mask wearing to be reinstated indoors.
The CDC is now asking that vaccinated people wear their masks indoors in highly transmissible places.
It will be hard for the President to ask vaccinated Americans to put their masks back on due to the feedback and promises he made in May when the end of the pandemic was near.
Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked about the “whiplash” Americans must be feeling right now due to being told that their masks should go back on, and what the administration will do to gain their trust after backing down from their promise of the end of the pandemic.
Psaki responded, “Because our goal is to save their lives and our responsibility and the responsibility of public health officials is to continue to provide updated guidance if it warrants, from an evolving virus.”
2. Testimony from January 6 Law Enforcement
This morning, several law enforcement officials gave testimonies of their accounts of the events which transpired on January 6, 2021, when the Capitol was attacked and an insurrection ensued.
Regarding the testimony, Psaki stated, “I know a number of us have watched the testimony this morning, which has been incredibly compelling and heart wrenching.”
She continued, “At moments a reminder of the shameful events of January 6th and of the incredible bravery of the men and women of law enforcement who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the Capitol, our democracy, and members of Congress from both parties.”
The President is working with the January 6 bipartisan committee to enhance Capitol security and thoroughly investigate what actually occurred on this day. Psaki said, “He [The President] has confidence in the American people to fight for democracy, to fight for voting rights, to fight for moving forward from the events that were a dark day in our democracy. That’s why he strongly supports the actions by Speaker Pelosi and the efforts to get to the bottom of what happened on January 6 so that we can prevent it from ever happening again.”
3. Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan Still Being Negotiated
Psaki highlighted a range of actions being taken by the President which are a part of his bipartisan infrastructure plan and his ‘Buy American’ agenda. She said, “I just wanted to note that after additional engagement with a bipartisan group yesterday, we’re enthusiastic about getting the bipartisan infrastructure plan across the finish line, confident we’ll be there soon. We were encouraged this morning by positive comments by Senator Romney, our team remains hard at work, as do a number of the supporters on the Hill.”
The President met with Senator Sinema this morning to talk about the bipartisan bill and figure out a solution to get it passed.
Regarding the meeting, Psaki said, “They are very much aligned on the path forward, both feel optimistic about the path forward…they again remain quite positive about the form for momentum and the path we see the infrastructure package on at this point in time.”
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