First Lady Melania Trump has announced the cancellation of the traditional Easter Egg Roll on 13 April in response to the spread of the coronavirus, as temperature checks began on Saturday outside the White House press briefing room.
"The health and safety of all Americans must be the first priority, especially right now," Melania Trump said as the White House cancelled its annual Easter Egg Roll. https://t.co/pNgVdscjfR
— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) March 16, 2020
“The health and safety of all Americans must be the first priority, especially right now. I deeply regret this cancellation, but we need to make difficult decisions in the short-term to ensure a healthy country for the long-term. During this time, I encourage everyone to listen to state and local officials, and follow CDC guidelines in order to help protect the health and well-being of everyone,” said the First Lady in a statement.
Hundreds of children and their families typically attend the Easter Egg Roll, which takes place on the South Lawn of the White House.
Netizens flooded the internet with sarcastic comments, many pointing to the fact the announcement was more than obvious under the current circumstances.
The sky is falling! No Easter Egg Roll.
— Jim Currie (@JimCurrie2014) March 16, 2020
Oh god no not that
— Sheryl Johnston (@Johnsto19Sheryl) March 16, 2020
Finally she says something that makes sense. Only took 3.5 years but she finally came through. Extra credit as it's not something Michelle Obama said before.
— Mike Pompeo's Real Thoughts (@SecOfState7O) March 16, 2020
Wow what a sacrifice.
— Mike G (@MikeG26069046) March 16, 2020
She botched it every other time she had to run it so this is probably a blessing.
— Lilac Baptisia, Devin Nunes’s 🍑 (@LBaptisia) March 16, 2020
Well, I was wondering when Ms IRRELEVANT would do something noticable. And, this is really a big deal for the BE BEST MADAM. SHE'S AS PHONY AS HER HUSBAND!
— CMP (@CMP90469637) March 16, 2020
Some fans couldn’t miss the chance to take a jab at FLOTUS over the White House tennis pavilion. In early March, the First Lady had tweeted pics of herself reviewing blueprints for the tennis pavilion, generating backlash, with some saying the photos were insensitive during the global coronavirus scare.
Probably too tired from working on the new White House tennis complex.
— BKB222 (@222BKB) March 16, 2020
Yes but how is the tennis pavilion coming along?
— Tuesday’s Child (@MakeYourBed1) March 16, 2020
Other netizens posted sarcastic comments hinting at the outcome of the 2020 presidential elections.
It's cool the Biden's can resume next year
— Shitty Presidents deserve Impeachment 🇺🇸 (@Texasperez82) March 16, 2020
Some applauded the measures announced by Melania Trump.
well done. no other option 😷💦👏... smart citizens will understand. democrats will bitch about it. 🤔 i apologize. i was redundant 😂
— wgg (@wggTODAY) March 16, 2020
. @FLOTUS cancels the White House Easter Egg Roll and people are giving her shit for it.
— Johnny Leroy (@JohnnyLeroy) March 16, 2020
If she hadn’t cancelled it, people would give her shit for it.
I’m not a fan of the Trump family but she did the right thing. She deserves praise, not backlash.
True leadership. Thank you First Lady.
— GetaTrump2020BumperSticker! (@Texan_4_Trump) March 16, 2020
The announcement by FLOTUS came as the US entered its first week of widespread school closures and restrictions on restaurants, bars, and other businesses amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The White House has called on millions of people to work from home and to home-school their children if possible, while the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised against gatherings larger than 50 people for the next eight weeks.
At the White House, staff and members of the media had their temperature taken by the White House physician's office prior to entering the complex on Monday morning, as deputy press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement:
“Out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the president and vice president”.
“Social distancing” procedures recommended by the CDC are also being implemented in the White House, as the briefing room had its seating reorganised accordingly, with the US Capitol and the White House ending public tours of their buildings.
President Trump earlier tested negative for the coronavirus, taking the test after coming into contact with an aide to the president of Brazil during a dinner at Mar-a-Lago, who had tested positive.
