WASHINGTON, Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, resumed Friday's daily press briefings, almost two weeks after being diagnosed with COVID-19 . She joked that the only downside to her return was having to wear professional shoes.
Psaki stated, "It's great that you're back with all of us," but added, "However, as someone who has always hated heels, I do miss my slippers. Which I'm sure some women in this room will agree with."
This was her first appearance at the White House Press Briefing Room since Oct. 27, 2007.
Psaki was originally going to accompany President Joe Biden on the world leader summits in Rome, Scotland and Glasgow, Scotland. However, she announced Oct. 28, as he was about depart, that she would not be able to go due to COVID-19 testing in her family.
Three days later, she announced that she had also tested positive on Halloween.
Psaki (42), observed a 10-day quarantine. She said that after a negative test result, her return to White House COVID-19 protocols was allowed. Due to the Veterans Day federal holiday, no briefing was held Thursday.
She said her symptoms were mostly mild and she felt fatigue.
Psaki stated, "I remain incredibly thankful for the vaccine's impact in keeping me safe and also keeping other people in my home safe,"
Karine Jean-Pierre, Deputy Press Secretary, traveled with Biden to conduct press briefings in the absence of Psaki.
Psaki used her return to the briefing room for a transition into the latest steps taken by the administration in combating the coronavirus. These included the authorization of vaccines to children aged 5-11 years old and the millions of dollars in federal assistance to companies to increase production of coronavirus testing that can be administered at home.
Psaki stated, "I ordered them from Walmart. They arrived the next day and they were mine at home."
