Psaki news underscores risks and safety protocols for Biden

White House officials say they’re taking all necessary precautions to keep President BidenJoe BidenFive takeaways from a grim night for Democrats Youngkin wins Virginia governor’s race Michelle Wu elected as Boston’s first female mayor MORE from contracting COVID-19, following the news that press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiManchin frustrates Democrats with latest outburst White House ‘confident’ Manchin will back reconciliation framework Manchin demands infrastructure vote; holds off support on spending bill MORE had been diagnosed with the virus.

Psaki, who is vaccinated, is just the latest person in Biden’s orbit to contract COVID-19. While the president is vaccinated and has taken a booster shot, he is also 78 years old, which puts him at a higher risk if he does contract COVID-19.

Vaccinations make it much less likely that a person will be hospitalized from COVID-19 or that it will be fatal. 

A White House official said protocols for anyone who interacts with Biden are “informed by recommendations from public health and medical experts” and that “multiple risk mitigation strategies” are employed to protect Biden on a regular basis, including mandatory testing as a basic requirement before interacting with him, wearing masks indoors and social distancing “when appropriate.” Biden is tested randomly every two weeks as a safety precaution.

The White House also has strict guidelines on quarantining. Psaki will have to remain home for 10 days until she can return to work. 

“I think it’s always top of mind,” said one Biden ally of the need to keep Biden and the White House safe. “How could it not be after the last year and a half?” 

On the foreign trip this week, the White House official said Biden and aides were abiding by Italian and United Kingdom requirements. 

The president was tested on Sunday as a prerequisite before entering the U.K. for an international climate summit and tested negative for COVID-19, White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-PierreKarine Jean-PierreDemocrats face ire of women over loss of paid leave Biden puts presidency on the line with House Biden to stump for McAuliffe in test of his electoral branding MORE told reporters on Monday, after Psaki’s positive test was disclosed. 

The White House official said the vaccine and booster shot were Biden’s “primary protection.” 

“This, together with social distancing precautions which have been recommended for many, many months and keeps an incredibly safe environment,” the official continued.

Former President TrumpDonald TrumpRepublicans poised to sweep Virginia, stunning Democrats Five takeaways from a grim night for Democrats New Jersey governor’s race too close to call MORE contracted COVID-19 in October 2020, just weeks before the presidential election. Trump had a serious case of the disease and was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. 

Biden’s presidential campaign was largely centered on the…