Biden Puts on Mask at White House Ceremony, and Later Takes it Off

President Biden made a notable appearance in a mask after several months on Tuesday, following his wife’s positive COVID-19 test. However, during a ceremony honoring an 81-year-old Vietnam veteran, the president decided to remove his mask and warmly shook hands with the elderly veteran. While the White House announced that Biden would wear a mask indoors, they also stated that he may remove it when maintaining a distance from others, as reported by the AP. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals exposed to the coronavirus should wear masks and monitor symptoms for 10 days.

The actual scenario differed from the expected protocol, highlighting the challenges of implementing coronavirus precautions in a time when the national emergency has ended and mask mandates are no longer in place. Nonetheless, the virus continues to spread, albeit at a slower rate compared to before. Doctors are optimistic about administering more vaccine doses next month with the availability of a new booster. At the Medal of Honor event, Biden joined Capt. Larry Taylor in removing their masks and stood side by side as a commendation was delivered. Biden then reached around the veteran’s body to place a medal around his neck, after which they stood face-to-face and shook hands.

Biden’s presence at the Medal of Honor event lasted less than 15 minutes. While CDC officials consider 15 minutes as a rough guideline for the duration of casual contact that can lead to COVID-19 transmission, it is possible for the virus to spread in less time. Before departing for the Group of 20 summit in India on Thursday, Biden will undergo another COVID-19 test. The president and his wife had COVID-19 last summer, which is the last known instance of Biden wearing a mask in public. (Read more COVID-19 stories.)