Obama scales back 60th birthday bash amid COVID questions

Amid rising Covid concerns, former President Barack Obama is scaling back his 60th birthday bash planned for the weekend.

After plans to host hundreds of guests at his Martha’s Vineyard estate for a 60th birthday bash drew news media scrutiny, former President Barack Obama has decided to "significantly scale back" the affair, a spokesperson said Wednesday. "This outdoor event was planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines and with COVID safeguards in place. Due to the new spread of the delta variant over the past week, the President and Mrs. Obama have decided to significantly scale back the event to include only family and close friends," Hannah Hankins said. "President Obama is appreciative of others sending their birthday wishes from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon." She declined to give a new estimate of how many guests will attend the gathering. A COVID coordinator had been slated to work the party, ensuring that all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and local guidelines were followed, and collect proof of negative test results from guests, who would also attest their vaccination status.