Pool Reports of May 28, 2021

Pool report #1 — good morning/pool gathering

It is a sunny spring day at the White House, with storms expected later in the afternoon before the beginning of the long Memorial Day weekend.

Your pooler is covid tested and now gathering for the president's trip to Alexandria, Virginia, where he will appear with First Lady Jill Biden and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam to discuss the state's progress against the coronavirus pandemic.

Your pooler will be with the president for the first leg of his trip, before he and the first lady travel are set to travel to Hampton, Virginia. They will end the day in Wilmingtone, Delaware.

Pool report #2 still holding

Your pooler is holding in a van, still waiting to depart from the White House. Event was originally scheduled to begin at 10:45

Pool report #3 departing/memo

After a delay, the motorcade departed from the White House at 10:54. Pooler did not see the president.

White House aide passes along a memo detailing the president’s speech in Alexandria, where he will talk about the "strong progress" the state has made against the pandemic.

Memo touts federal investment in vaccination sites — over $247 million — and Virginia’s declining case/death rates. Case rates have dropped 13 ercent in state compared to the last seven-day period, per the memo, with 32 cases per 100,000 residents.

Pool report #4 complete memo

Pasting the whole memo from a White House aide, passed along on background, below:

BACKGROUND MEMORANDUM

In today's remarks in Alexandria, the President will outline the strong progress both the country and Virginia specifically have made in this pandemic over the course of the past 129 days (related statistics, numbers, and vaccination programs below). He will deliver a message of hope around the continued declining cases and increased vaccination rates in both Virginia and nationwide thanks to his whole of government pandemic response, which for VA include:

• Over $247 million in federal funding for community vaccination sites.
• Over 360 federally-funded National Guard members supporting the state's COVID-19 response.
• 1,000 pharmacies across Virginia participating in the federal pharmacy program
• And creating a FEMA-run community vaccination site in Norfolk
• The President will also deliver a message ahead of Memorial Day Weekend about the optimism and hope Americans should feel, while urging the rest of America to get vaccinated.

State of the Pandemic in Virginia: Now (as of 5/26) vs. January 20

• Current Case Rate: 32 cases per 100,000 population in the last 7 days, down 13% from the previous 7 days. This is the 41st highest case rate (cases per 100K in the last 7 days) in the US.
• Case Rate on Jan 20: 504 cases per 100,000 population in the last 7 days, up 22% from the previous 7 days. This is the 9th highest case rate (cases per 100K in the last 7 days) in the US.
• Current Death Rate: 1.1 deaths per 100,000 population in the last 7 days, down 17% from the previous 7 days.
• Death Rate on Jan 20: 3.6 deaths per 100,000 population in the last 7 days
• Current Hospitalization Rate: 344 confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions in the last 7 days, 2 per 100 patient beds – a 19% decrease from the previous 7 days in confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100 patient beds.
• Hospitalization Rate on Jan 20: 2,132 confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions in the last 7 days, 13 per 100 patient beds.

The Biden Administration's Support for Vaccinations in Virginia
Federal Funding: As of May 24, the Administration has provided over $247 million to the state of Virginia to support vaccination operations in communities across Virginia, and created a mass vaccination site at the Military Circle Mall in Norfolk that has administered more than 83,000 shots. Initially run by FEMA and the U.S. Navy, this week the site is transitioning to being fully operated by the Virginia Department of Health. There are over 360 federally-funded National Guard members currently supporting the state's overall COVID-19 response. There are two federally-supported community vaccination centers currently operational in the state, staffed by 40 deployed federal personnel.

Pharmacies: As of May 26, there are over 1,100 pharmacies administering vaccine in the state. Stores participating in the federal program are primarily CVS, Kroger, Walgreens, Walmart, and Rite Aid locations but also include 12 other pharmacy networks. The vast majority are offering no-appointment, walk-in vaccinations.

Community Health Centers: The Administration is delivering vaccine doses directly to 11 Community Health Centers (CHCs) in the state, spanning 20 delivery sites.

Pool report #5 arrival

Motorcade arrived at the Sportrock Climbing Centers in Alexandria at 11:15

Groups of onlookers gathered along the street here, almost with their phones out recording or taking pictures of the motorcade.

Pool Report #6 color from inside rock climbing center

Pooler is inside the rock climbing center, where there are multiple multi-colored climbing walls. Pooler spotted at least a dozen people climbing the walls, attached to ropes and scaling seemingly a hundred feet (or more) above ground. President is expected imminently — we are told he will tour the center before delivering remarks

Pool report #8 president walks in

The president has entered the climbing area, along with the First Lady and Governor Northum. They shook hands with the owner of Sportrock Climbing Centers.

President took in the climbers, pointing at them and looking up at some of the highest climbers.

He greeted one of the spotters, though the conversation was out of earshot of your pooler.

The climbers in here have continued to climb the walls — some hanging freely from ropes — even as the president walks in. Each climber has a partner spotting them below on the ground, holding the rope. Among them, your pooler only spots three wearing a mask.

One employee repelled down from a wall to fret the president, joking it was time for him to start climbing. He had worked at the center for 10 years, he said, since he was 14.

President spoke briefly with reporters, sizing up which wall he'd want to climb

Remarks are expected to start shortly

pool report #9 more color

Pool was escorted away from the president while he continued to talk to the employee who repelled down from the wall. He is still flanked by the the First Lady and governor Northum.

The president will be introduced by Jacob Bosley, a 17 year old high school junior from Lake Braddock High School in Fairfax County.l, per the White House.

Gerry Connolly, Democratic congressman from Virginia, was in attendance. Jill Biden greeted him with a handshake.

A group of a few dozen mostly young people formed the backdrop for the president's speech.

Pool report #10 remarks begin

Governor began at 11:51 remarks at after shaking hands and greeting everyone in attendance. Event is being live streamed

Pool report #11 remarks end

President’s remarks concluded at 12:15 He spoke after Governor Northam and Jacob Bosley.

Of note: the president praised the life of John Warner, the former Republican senator who died this week. Called him a man of "great integrity" who harkened back to an older, better way the Senate used to operate.

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson and Rep. Don Beyer were also in attendance

pool report #12 president ignores questions

The president briefly thanked the crowd behind him after his speech though his remarks were away from the mic and hard to hear.

The president then walked past reporters, ignoring the shouted questions. Pool was escorted out of the rock climbing center and is currently holding back in the motorcade, preparing to depart for JBA.

Pool report #13 motorcade departs for JBA

Motorcade departed at 12:25, headed for JBA. Your pooler did not see the president.

In-town pool report #14

Biden arrived at Air Force1 JBA at 12:46

And apologies for switching email addresses midstream today — your pooler's work email crashed at an inopportune time

in-town Pool report #15

The president has boarded AF1 at 12:48. Your pooler is handing off to out-of-town pooler. Thanks all.

Potus out of town pool report 1 - arrival at JBA/departure

Potus arrived at JBA via motorcade around 12:47 pm.

He and Flotus emerged from the beast and chatted briefly with two greaters.

Potus did not take questions.

We will be departing from JBA to Hampton Virginia shortly. This leg of the trip is on the large AF1.

Karine Jean Pierre is expected to gaggle on the short flight.

Below is from the WH.
Upon arrival to Joint Base Andrews, the President will be greeted by Colonel Brian Daniels.

Traveling with the President and the First Lady to Hampton, Virginia:

• Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
• Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
• Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Advisor to the First Lady
• Jon Finer, Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy National Security Advisor
• Karine Jean-Pierre, Deputy Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy Press Secretary
• Stephen Goepfert, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President
• Travis Dredd, Special Assistant to the President & Trip Director
• Carlyn Reichel, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Speechwriting & Strategic Initiatives for the NSC
• Meghan Hays, Special Assistant to the President & Director of Message Planning
• Rory Brosius, Special Assistant to the President & Executive Director of Joining Forces
• Amber Macdonald, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Presidential Speechwriter
• Jordan Montoya, Director of Advance and Trip Director

POTUS out-of-town pool report #2 - arrival and two minute warning

POTUS landed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis around 1:30 p.m., as Karine Jean-Pierre was gaggling.

The flight from JBA to JBLE was a little turbulent at times.

POTUS and FLOTUS deplaned around 1:37 p.m. They spoke briefly with greeters and did not respond to questions from the press.

POTUS and FLOTUS took a very, very brief motorcade (less than two minutes) to an airport hanger here where POTUS will give remarks shortly.

A stage is set up with a massive American flag behind it. There are F-22 raptors positioned on either side of the stage. Classified equipment on the planes have been covered, per a military aide.

The audience is largely made up of members of the military, who are wearing fatigues, and are seated on black folding chairs that are socially distanced (a light reminder of the pandemic.) But only one or two people are wearing masks inside the hanger as we wait for POTUS.

Biden's remarks will be live streamed.

Hail to the chief played as Biden walked into the airplane hanger here at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.

Members of the military stood as he walked in and as the music played. The audience is about 75 people, by my estimation.

Colonel Clinton Ross introduced FLOTUS. She mentioned that the two have known each other for a decade.

POTUS was introduced to Britteny Beene, and POTUS gave her a side hug after her remarks.

POTUS spoke in a low voice that was at times hard to hear in the auditorium which did not have great acoustics — the microphone created a bit of an echo that made it hard to understand everything for those in the room, though my Washington Post colleagues watching the live-stream said the sound was better for them.

POTUS finished his remarks at 2:29 PM
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More details on the arrival here per the White House:
Upon arrival at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, the President and the First Lady will be greeted planeside by:

• Governor Ralph Northam (VA)
• Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02)
• Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03)
• Chief Master Sergeant Greg Peterson, Command Chief
• Judy Peterson, Spouse of Chief Master Sergeant Greg Peterson
• Colonel Clinton Ross, Commander
• Kristi Ross, Spouse of Colonel Clinton Ross
• Colonel Edward Vedder, Vice Commander
• Jenn Vedder, Spouse of Colonel Edward Vedder

POTUS out of town pool report #4 - Departure from Joint Base Langley-Eustis

POTUS and FLOTUS got into very brief motorcade from the air hanger to the plane on the runway at 3:08 pm.

POTUS and FLOTUS departed from Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia at 3:09. POTUS is now heading to DANG in Wilmington.

Before leaving POTUS did not give brief remarks.

POTUS is switching planes and is loading into the smaller AF1, and the cell service on that plane is rather difficult.

Both the large and the small AF1 planes were parked on the runway here, which is a bit unusual (at least for me) to see them together.

POTUS out of town pool report #5 - land in DANG

POTUS landed at DANG at 3:59 pm after an uneventful flight from Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.

POTUS and FLOTUS deplaned at 4:04 pm

POTUS did not answer questions shouted to him about the Jan. 6 commission. This is the third time during this trip Biden has had an opportunity to address the Senate vote.

The motorcade started rolling at 4:07 pm. There does not appear to be much Memorial Day traffic here, and it's lightly raining.
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From the WH

Upon arrival at Delaware Air National Guard Base, the President and the First Lady were greeted by Brigadier General Carl Danberg, Assistant to the Adjutant General.

POTUS out of town pool report #6 - drop off/lid

POTUS and FLOTUS arrived at their home in Wilmington at 4:20 p.m. via motorcade.

Pool did not see POTUS or FLOTUS get out of the Beast or enter the home.

The WH called a travel photo lid at 4:21 p.m.

I'll be your pooler all Memorial Day, stay safe and enjoy!