Despite a reported cold, President Biden was spotted in a fancy D.C. restaurant without a mask Friday night and has plans to attend a Kennedy Center event this weekend.
During his speech Friday, Biden repeatedly coughed and spoke in a hoarse voice. Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked the president about his health and Biden explained that he got a cold from his grandson.
“I’m OK, I have a test every day — a COVID test. I have been checking for all the strains. What I have is a 1-and-a-half year-old grandson, who had a cold, who loves to kiss his pop,” he said.
A statement was released Friday from White House physician Kevin O’Connor that confirmed Biden just has a cold and “has been tested for COVID-19 three times this week”.
O’Connor wrote “As is readily apparent, President Biden is experiencing some increased nasal congestion this week”. “This can be heard in his voice and he is feeling the colloquially well-known ‘frog in one’s throat'”.
Even though he is sick and has encouraged Americans to wear masks indoors, Biden was seen inside Enrique Limardo’s restaurant, Imperfecto, without a mask.
During the Thanksgiving holiday, Biden was caught maskless shopping in a store that required masks in Nantucket, Massachusetts.
Washington, D.C., lifted its mask mandate last week, but the CDC has suggested mask mandates be reinstated in high-transmission places like D.C. and NYC because of the omicron variant.
President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are set to attend the 44th Annual Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements on Sunday.