A few months ago, the hashtag #DavosSafe arose, in response to the Davos bigwigs requiring all sorts of COVID protections (testing, ventilation) to attend the meeting, while the rest of us hoi polloi are told to not worry and head back to work. They clearly didn’t think COVID is just a cold.

Well, we’re going to need a new hashtag, based on the precautions for his meeting with the Irish government, #BidenSafe (boldface mine):

TDs and Senators are being asked to take an antigen test 24 hours before US President Joe Biden’s joint Oireachtas address as part of strict rules for politicians….

However, they [TDs and Senators] have been asked to take an antigen test 24 hours before attending by officials who look after Leinster House and avoid the event if they don’t feel well.

Journalists who will be sitting on the press gallery in the chamber have also been asked to take an antigen test 24 hours prior but no proof of the test will be required to gain access, it is understood.

This isn’t the greatest COVID protection, but it’s better than most of us get. Obviously, given COVID czar Jha’s statements, the White House understands there’s a non-trivial chance of severe long-term disability after COVID infections. If only the policies applied to the rest of us recognized that. Instead, we don’t even have useful prevalence data, never mind things like requiring masking in medical facilities and public transportation.

Fortunately, it’s not like there’s a new variant going around or anything…