Barack Obama, the former President of the United States, is planning on having hundreds attend his upcoming 60th birthday party in Martha’s Vineyard, even as the country appears heading towards further coronavirus lockdowns, as reported by Breitbart.
While his birthday is Wednesday, August 4th, the party is set for this upcoming Saturday, August 7th, to maximize guest attendance at his lavish 30-acre estate in Massachusetts. There are expected to be up to 700 guests in attendance, and although each guest is allegedly required to submit a negative COVID test, there are no other confirmed efforts to police the possible spread at the event. There will also be a “COVID coordinator” present at the party, which will be held outdoors, though it is not clear what this role will entail.
The news is drawing criticism of the 44th president, as his party comes amidst the apparent rise of the India Variant of the coronavirus, also known as the Delta Variant, which some have claimed is more contagious and deadlier than previous strains of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently ordered the return of mask mandates for many Americans, including schoolchildren and those who have already been vaccinated, essentially confirming that the vaccine is no longer effective in stopping the spread of the virus.
The Obamas were allegedly on the verge of scrapping the party altogether before ultimately moving forward with the 60th plans. Martha’s Vineyard, one of the wealthiest and most prestigious areas in the country, is currently not considered “substantially high-risk” by the CDC. Although Joe Biden is not expected to attend the party, a spokesman said that he would be catching up with the former president and first lady “soon.”