Joe Biden and Speaker Pelosi on Wednesday interacted with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin just before he tested positive for Covid-19.
I’m told that President Biden interacted with the Taoiseach (who has tested positive for COVID) just before the dinner started at the National Building Museum tonight. A White House official says he was not a close contact. That’s defined as being in vicinity for 15 minutes + https://t.co/44uszEpEYb
— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) March 17, 2022
Pelosi was asked about her interaction with the Covid-positive Taoiseach on Thursday.
Pelosi was seated right next to the Irish Taoiseach at Wednesday night’s Ireland Funds 30th National Gala before he was whisked away.
“The Taoiseach had on a mask when he sat down but then when he started to eat he took off the mask. It was right during the appetizer they took him, called him aside,” Pelosi said.
Masks don’t stop the spread of Covid, so there’s that.
WATCH:
Speaker Pelosi after sitting with Irish PM before he received positive COVID-19 result: “The Taoiseach had on a mask when he sat down but then when he started to eat he took off the mask. It was right during the appetizer they took him, called him aside.” https://t.co/24MUin5zto pic.twitter.com/DUXtjRFHJ7
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) March 17, 2022
Pelosi will not quarantine despite coming in close contact with the Covid-positive Prime Minister.
“In consultation with the Office of Attending Physician, the Speaker will continue regular testing and follow CDC guidance. The Friends of Ireland Lunch today will proceed but without the participation of the Taoiseach,” her office said in a statement to ABC News.
Joe Biden on Thursday ‘virtually’ met with Prime Minister Micheál Martin, who is now isolated across the street from the White House.
“I’m really, deeply sorry for the inconvenience, that we have to meet virtually again this year — although I did at a little distance for seven-and-a-half minutes get to see you yesterday and your beautiful wife, but especially after flying all the way here to Washington, with a lot going on up in the Hill and the rest,” Biden said.
WATCH LIVE: President Biden holds virtual meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin. https://t.co/bR8Y5GhmoB
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) March 17, 2022