Party time: VIP Democrats' celebrations with unmasked crowds suggest unconcern over Delta variant

A series of high-profile celebrations involving major Democratic politicians is offering Americans a glimpse of an elite life in the U.S. where few seem unduly alarmed about the ongoing SARS-Cov-2 pandemic, specifically the virus's "Delta variant." 

That variant has been blamed for the current surge of COVID-19 cases throughout the country and has led to widespread reinstitution of many virus mitigation measures that had been discarded earlier in the year, including mask mandates and distancing measures. 

Experts see the situation as so serious that some states have begun ordering mask mandates even for vaccinated individuals, as the CDC recently recommended. Others, meanwhile, have used dire language to underscore the purported need for, at the very least, forced vaccinations. 

"I know people must like to have their individual freedom and not be told to do something," President Biden's chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said recently during an MSNBC interview, "but I think we're in such a serious situation now that, under certain circumstances, mandates should be done."

Democrats party up at weddings, birthday bashes

The Delta variant has been broadly painted as a serious enough threat that much normal activity should be suspended until it is brought under control. Fauci recently criticized attendees of the South Dakota Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for gathering in large crowds. 

"There comes a time when you're dealing with a public health crisis that could involve you, your family and everyone else that something supersedes that need to do exactly what you want to do," he said. 

Yet several high-visibility, densely packed parties attended by major Democratic figures in recent weeks have spotlighted an elite segment of the U.S. living life relatively untroubled by the threat of the Delta variant. 

Former President Barack Obama, for instance, recently held a party at his $12 million, waterfront estate on Martha's Vineyard to celebrate his 60th birthday, a fete reportedly attended by upwards of 200 people, including a who's who list of entertainers, politicians and other A-list celebrities. 

Videos circulating on social media showed a raucous party of unmasked attendees dancing and singing inside a giant tent erected on the Obamas' property. 

It was not clear if everyone at the event had received the COVID-19 vaccine; media reports indicated that partygoers were "asked" to be vaccinated. Attendees were also required to undergo a COVID-19 test prior to showing up. 

Under current CDC guidance, meanwhile, all guests should have been wearing masks at the event. Two days before Obama's party, Martha's Vineyard had entered the "high" transmission bracket, according to the CDC. Under revised CDC guidelines, attendees at the party should have been masked whether or not they were vaccinated.

The Obamas did not respond to a request for comment as to why so many of their partygoers went maskless in contravention of CDC guidance.

Also seen amid a large crowd of partiers recently was Democratic Rep. Rahisda Tlaib, a member of the "Squad" of leftist women legislators on Capitol Hill. 

Video circulated of Tlaib dancing, maskless, surrounded by other unmasked dancers, at what was reportedly a wedding in the Detroit area. 

The wedding reportedly took place in Wayne County, Mich. The CDC currently lists Wayne County as having "high" levels of COVID-19 transmission. As with Obama's party, under CDC guidelines, attendees at the party should have been wearing masks regardless of their vaccination status.

Tlaib's office did not respond to a request for comment on the matter. 

Meanwhile, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser reportedly officiated and attended a wedding at a luxury hotel in the city at which hundreds of guests (including the mayor herself) were unmasked — less than 24 hours after Bowser announced the reimposition of mandatory indoor masking in the nation's capital. The Washington Examiner's report on this example of apparent medico-matrimonial hypocrisy was accompanied by a photo ostensibly showing an unmasked Bowser at the event. 

"On Saturday, July 31st, Mayor Bowser officiated an outdoor, rooftop wedding ceremony, followed by an indoor dinner," a Bowser spokesperson told Fox 5 DC. "The Mayor wore a mask indoors in compliance with the mandate, and the organizers and venue staff worked to create a safe environment for the staff and guests." 

The response did not address the photograph of a maskless Bowser in the Examiner.

This week, a D.C. health department official suggested the city's reinstated mask mandate could remain in force until Thanksgiving.

Fears of the spread of the Delta variant have come amid a sharp rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases throughout the U.S., with health officials appearing less confident of the COVID-19 vaccine than they had been several months ago.

Deaths attributed to the vaccine, on the other hand, have been much lower compared to earlier, similar spikes, suggesting the vaccine may be having a significant effect even as case numbers continue to rise.