Biden Tests Negative for COVID, Will Be Vaccinated Soon
The Claim
U.S. President-Elect Joe Biden has COVID-19 and has been hiding his results from the public.
Emerging story
On December 14, 2020, Biden made a speech confirming his formal selection as 46th U.S. president by the Electoral College. In the video (below), he coughs several times, and his voice is hoarse.
Many on social media took this to believe that he has COVID-19 and is hiding his diagnosis.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation found that Biden attributed his coughing and hoarseness to a cold. During the speech, he said: “Thank you, I have a little bit of a cold, I'm sorry, but look, you know, you did it, you did it, not a joke.”
Speculation about a possible COVID-19 infection was stirred up further when Biden’s White House engagement director Representative Cedric Richmond tested positive for the virus on Thursday, December 17, 2020. Richmond, who is part of Biden’s transition team, “marks Biden’s closest brush with contracting the virus since the onset of the pandemic.”
However, Biden tested negative for COVID-19 on Thursday, December 17 and Friday, December 18. Spokesperson Kate Bedingfield said that Richmond was not in close contact with Biden: “Richmond's interactions with the president-elect happened in open air, were masked and totaled less than 15 consecutive minutes, the CDC's timeframe for close contact. Richmond traveled to Georgia on his own and not with the president-elect.”
While the social media comments are correct that coughing and a sore throat are symptoms of the coronavirus, by the time these symptoms show the virus is detectable. Since Biden tested negative even while having a cough, it seems likely that his statement was correct and he simply has a cold.
Biden and his wife. Dr. Jill Biden, will receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, December 21, which should inoculate them against the virus. Biden said they plan to receive the vaccination in public to encourage others to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Since Biden tested negative twice after potential exposure and is receiving the vaccination soon, we rate the claim that he has COVID-19 as false.
