Barack Obama scales back 60th birthday bash due to coronavirus concerns

[left-of-center2012]

Barack Obama turned 60 on Wednesday, but his birthday bash has been scaled back due to concerns about the rapid spread of COVID-19.

In a statement obtained by USA TODAY Wednesday morning, Spokesperson Hannah Hankins said the former president will now be celebrating the milestone moment with family and close friends in place of the large outdoor party he had planned.

“This outdoor event was planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines and with covid safeguards in place. Due to the new spread of the delta variant over the past week, the President and Mrs. Obama have decided to significantly scale back the event to include only family and close friends,” the statement reads. “President Obama is appreciative of others sending their birthday wishes from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon.”

The Obamas planned to host an outdoor party in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, to celebrate with friends, family and former staff members, a person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY. In order to promote safety, guests were required to adhere to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public health protocols, including a testing regimen managed by a COVID-19 coordinator.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/08/02/barack-obama-birthday-party-marthas-vineyard-covid-protocols/5457488001/

[ColinC]

1. That sucks

He deserves a big bash for his 60th....


That being said, I'm glad he is taking the responsible route here.

[Ms. Toad]

2. But it sucks for all of us.

I've had an annual party for 39 years. Last year would have been our 40th. We had to cancel it.

My parents' 65th wedding anniversary was 11 months ago. They got to have some of their kids hang out with them outside their home, fully masked, no contact for a maximum of 2 hours.

Our 40th anniversary is one month from now. I had hoped to combine a party for my parents' 65th and our 40th. That is off the table now.

I had planned one last 150 mile bike ride with MS 150 (cancelled last year becuase of COVID, skipped in 2016 because of breast cancer, and unable to ride in the intervening years because of work demands). MS 150 was to start its non-virtual rides in September, and I found one a state away on my birthday. It hasn't been cancelled . . . yet.

And - for the same period of time I have not had time for a vacation (beyond taking Christmas day off most years). I had planned a dive vacation for November. I can't imagine I'll be able to.

So yeah - we all deserve those big (and little) bashes. But it's not about what we deserve, or about rewarding people for getting vaccinated. It is about public health - and it should be a given that he would take the responsible route.

I wish it actually was a given that all of us (including the vaccinated who are rejecting wearing masks) would take the responsible route.

[Initech]

3. I said on another thread...

I lost my 40th birthday party last year and had to have it on Zoom, that hurt very badly.

And right now I'm planning a trip to Michigan, though right now it's looking more and more like it's going to be canceled. And I think a lot of the events I have scheduled in the coming weeks are probably going to get canceled.

This really fucking sucks. I'm so tired of canceled events and I'm getting to the point where I really am starting to utterly despise virtual ones. I hate it so bad, I wish it didn't have to be this way.

Fuck COVID-19. And fuck the people who are not doing the responsible things.

[Vinca]

4. Gee, I bet Trump will cancel his upcoming Alabama rally, too. LOL.

Wonder if the news media will wee their pants over that as much as they did Obama's birthday party with vaccinated, tested guests.

[Spider Jerusalem]

5. Good to see someone realised how irresponsible that was (n/t)