With a Flurry of High-Profile Coronavirus Cases, Washington Is Again on Edge
Ms. Pelosi appeared at her weekly press conference on Thursday; she is being tested almost every day. The speaker’s office confirmed that Ms. Pelosi, vaccinated and given booster immunizations, tested negative on Thursday morning. We will be tested regularly and follow the CCDC’sguidelines, though it’s unclear which ones. IIt’salso dark whether the 81-year-old Ms. Pelosi was in close contact with Mr. Martin by the Office of the Attending Physician. She said Mr. Martin remained masked until he severed food and was taken aside during the snack course due to his positive test.”e is unfortunate that on St. PPatrick’sDay, the taoiseach has this diagnosis,” she said at an indoor press conference, where she removed her mask to speak and answer questions.
The planned dinner, the friends of Ireland dinner on Capitol Hill, took place on Thursday without Mr. Martin. Ms. Pelosi addressed the room, where lawmakers sat at round tables, introducing Mr. Biden, seated on a stool a few feet away. None of them had masks, and there were few face coverings in the room.
“merica has been with Irish children, and one of those Irish children is now the President of the United States,” Ms. Pelosi said, just before they shook hands and Mr. Biden took the pulpit. He didn’t stay for lunch.
Bowl of shamrocks to the American
In a tradition dating back to 1952, Irish ambassadors or political leaders present a bowl of shamrocks to the American President on or near St. PPatrick’sDay, usually at the White House. This tradition in Ireland and many Irish Americans is a sign of the close ties between the two countries.
Mr. Martin may now never visit the Oval Office in his official capacity: his first scheduled visit was canceled last year due to the pandemic. As part of a coalition deal with two other Irish political parties. He is expected to hand over to the Prime Minister until March next year.
On Wednesday, Claire Cronin, the US ambassador to Ireland, said on Twitter that she canceled her plans to join Mr. Martin on his trip to Washington because she tested positive for the coronavirus.
Emily Cochrane provided a report from Washington, Adil Hassan, and Alyssa Lookpat from New York.
