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Joe Biden coughs into hand and shakes hands with people while maskless

The president was caught in the act at New Jersey, while not wearing a mask even after meeting Alejandro Mayorkas who tested positive for Covid-19

President Joe Biden has been pushing maks and vaccines at every available opportunity, but it appears the advice isn't meant for him. Just days after meeting Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who tested positive for Covid-19 on October 19, a maskless President was caught coughing into his hand and then using that same hand to shake hands of the public in Kearny, New Jersey.

It's not the first time the President has been caught violating his own Covid-19 protocols. On October 16, he was snapped on a dinner date with First Lady Jill in Washington DC, again without a mask. That controversy erupted just days after it was revealed the President had built a White House set in the Old Executive Office Building, rather than use the White House itself. Days after his inauguration, a maskless Biden also addressed the public from the Lincoln Memorial, prompting massive outrage.

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Well, that outrage is back. Once footage of Biden's cough made its way to social media, it quickly spread like wildfire with the president being the target of much fury. Angry and frustrated social media users began to slam Biden as large parts of the nation are still under mask mandates. 

Biden caught coughing in NJ

The president traveled to Kearny to speak to the public from the NJ Transit Meadowlands Maintenance Complex. He visited the state to tout his $1 billion infrastructure bill, which is still the subject of great debate in Congress. The visit also had another reason - Biden was spotted with Governor Phil Murphy who is currently facing a battle for reelection. However, the president's promises were not the major talking points from the visit, instead, it was a 30-second clip.

After addressing the public at the maintenance complex, Biden can be seen and heard coughing into his right hand. He then steps off the stage and proceeds to shake hands with people standing just below the stage. The entire time, he isn't wearing a mask, even though his Secret Service detail are all wearing masks. Here's the clip doing the rounds:

The clip matters for two reasons - firstly Biden is violating his own mask mandate. Secondly, it is possible he could have Covid-19, after meeting with Mayorkas just before he tested positive. On October 16, a maskless POTUS, FLOTUS, and Mayorkas were caught at the Annual National Police Officers' Memorial Service at the US Capitol. Then just days later, Mayorkas tested positive. While both Mayorkas and Biden are fully vaccinated, the president could still spread the virus to those he met, putting them at risk even if they aren't vaxxed.

'Covid doesn't exist if you're President'

So naturally, social media was quick to condemn Biden. "President Joe Biden coughs directly into his hand, moments before shaking hands with many people. Yet fully vaccinated students must wear their masks for eight hours at school. Funny how that works," one person tweeted. Another commented, "Biden the superspreader… That’s a nasty cough Joe…" One user said, "Joe Biden Coughs Into Hand, Proceeds To Shake Hands With Everyone Covid doesn't exist if you're president."

"Someone teach Biden to cough into his elbow. We learn this in preschool," one person said. Another tweeted, "Nothing says “stop the spread” like coughing into your hand and then shaking people’s hands 5 seconds later." One user commented, "Biden coughs into hand then greets multiple people MASKLESS !!! DO WHAT I SAY DON'T DO WHAT I DO."

It's unclear if Biden and Jill were tested following their meeting with Mayorkas. The Secretary is currently isolated at home and is reportedly only experiencing mild congestion. While Biden doesn't appear to have any major symptoms, his behavior is certainly in violation of his own protocols.