As he remains in isolation at the White House after testing positive for COVID-19, President Joe Biden assured reporters that he was “feeling terrific.”
He also claimed that his dog Commander had taken over wake-up duty while first lady Jill Biden is overseas.
At the conclusion of a meeting on advancing the semiconductor industry, Biden responded, “I’m feeling terrific,” noting that his voice was still “raspy.”
You are aware that I slept through each of the previous two nights, Biden said.
In fact, this morning my dog had to wake me up. My spouse isn’t here. I felt my dog’s nose brush up against my chest for five to seven minutes as I was working out upstairs, as she regularly does in the morning,’ Biden added.
Following the news of Biden’s positive test last week, the first lady Jill Biden flew to the family residence in Wilmington.
I’m in a nice mood. I still have a hoarse voice,” he continued.
At least one participant in the zoom-style session agreed with Biden’s evaluation of himself.
The chairman and CEO of diesel producer Cummins, Inc., Tom Linebarger, said, “Mr. President, it’s terrific to see you so well!
He was one of several people who took part in a White House-organized event to promote a plan that would allocate billions for American semiconductor production and is scheduled for a crucial Senate vote on Monday.
A panelist was talking about the function of semiconductors in pulse oximeters and other medical equipment when the president briefly closed his eyes for a brief period of time around 26 minutes into the program.
The president, who continues to withdraw after receiving a positive COVID test on Thursday, made his first live appearance of the day.
Biden remarked, “I get a full blown series of tests every morning, every afternoon, and excuse me, every evening.” “Everything,” Biden remarked, “from the temperature to the oxygen in my blood to my pulse.”
He said, “And so far, everything’s good and working as it should.”
“And so, each day I feel better,” you say. The sore throat and slight cough are still present, but they are greatly lessening. Right now, it’s on my top throat.
My nose and other areas have more of it. However, they claim that is standard procedure. And I believe I’m close to making a complete recovery,’ he remarked.
By the end of this week, he hoped to return to work in person.
Additional information on how the virus affected his workday was also provided by Biden.
Well, hopefully by the end of this week I’ll be back at work in person, he remarked. But as you are aware, I have been maintaining a busy schedule.
I mean, I just finished four significant activities today, and I’m… Today, I didn’t begin until 9:30. And I’ll probably complete today. I’ll be done around 6:30.
Additionally, although I’m not working the same hours, I am fulfilling all of my obligations, and we are also making choices on a variety of other issues,’ Biden said.
He spoke earlier to a police department.
The remarks followed the White House’s publication of a still shot image showing Biden relaxing on the balcony of the White House with his dog Commander on a couch.
Biden captioned the photo, “Took some calls this morning with man’s best co-worker.”
Throughout the gathering on Monday, Biden engaged in lengthy back-and-forth conversation with many attendees.
He frequently looked at his notes before answering questions, but once he began talking about the American economy and the effect the semiconductor industry has on defense requirements and manufacturing in general, he spoke without pausing.
He praised the CHIPS bill, which was scheduled to be put to a procedural vote in the Senate, saying, “This bill is going to supercharge our efforts to create semiconductors… that power our everyday life in America.”
He referred to it as a “national security imperative” and claimed that the high cost of automobiles, which was pushed up by the lack of semiconductors, was to blame for one-third of the increase in “core” inflation.
He observed that the United States relied on Taiwan as its major producer, with supply being severely constrained during the pandemic, and said that China was “getting ahead” of the United States in chip manufacturing.
Throughout the lengthy meeting, Biden, who was dressed in a coat and tie, occasionally rubbed his nose. He also scratched his chin and smiled when a union official had problems unmuting his connection.