Surgeon General Jerome Adams Warns America Is At ‘Dire Point’ With Pandemic
On Monday, (November 23), U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams warned all Americans, including the White House, to avoid large Thanksgiving and other holiday gatherings in order to prevent a spike in what are already grim numbers coming from the continued outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Appearing on Good Morning America, Adams urged citizens to follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines during what he described as a “dire point” in the pandemic.
“I want the American people to know that we are at a dire point in our fight with this virus by any measure: cases, positivity, hospitalizations, deaths. We’re seeing more Americans negatively impacted than ever before,” Adams said on the ABC morning program before noting the recent advances of a safe and effective vaccine.
He continued: “I’m asking Americans, I’m begging you, hold just a little bit longer. Keep Thanksgiving and the celebration small and smart this year.”
Adams was also asked how the White House can justify hosting holiday parties while the CDC is advising Americans to stay home for Thanksgiving. He responded by saying the guidelines include everyone.
“We want everyone to understand that these holiday celebrations can be superspreader events, so we want them to be smart and we want them to be as small as possible,” he said. “These apply to the White House, they apply to the American people, they apply to everyone.”
That said, the White House seems to be ignoring the Surgeon General’s advice, as invitations for holiday parties have already gone out. Last week, Melania Trump finalized guest lists for parties with friends, family and staff, which will be held over multiple evenings in December.
The first lady's chief of staff, Stephanie Grisham, said Monday that safety precautions will be advised, including smaller guest lists and mask requirements, at the indoor events.
"The People's House will celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah while providing the safest environment possible,” she said in a statement, according to CNN. “This includes smaller guest lists, masks will be required and available, social distancing encouraged while on the White House grounds, and hand sanitizer stations throughout the State Floor.
She added: "Guests will enjoy food individually plated by chefs at Plexiglass-protected food stations. All passed beverages will be covered. All service staff will wear masks and gloves to comply with food safety guidelines."
Watch Surgeon General Jerome Adams’ interview with GMA below.
