We joke about fumigating the White House after Trump leaves.

[NCDem47]

Last edited Mon Dec 7, 2020, 02:09 PM - Edit history (1)

But the threat is real.

The symbolism of having to deep clean the WH of coronavirus. Rid this place (the WH and America) of that trash.


WASHINGTON – It’s a ritual carried out with precision each time a new first family moves into the White House.

In just six hours on Inauguration Day, belongings of a departing president's family are moved out, carpets are cleaned, furniture is rearranged, fresh art is hung and the executive mansion is transformed for its new residents before they set foot inside.

But staff tasked with preparing the executive mansion for the arrival Jan. 20 of President-elect Joe Biden and his family will do so under extraordinary circumstances: the COVID-19 contagion that has already infected departing President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and multiple White House staffers.

When someone working in a school, business, library or other public building tests positive for coronavirus or is even suspected of contracting the disease, the property owners or managers often respond by ordering the structure to undergo what is known as a "deep cleaning" – a process in which highly specialized contractors are brought in to eradicate the virus with botanical disinfectants.

But neither the White House nor the General Services Administration, the government agency that manages federal facilities, would say what precautions, if any, would be taken to make sure the presidential mansion is coronavirus-free before the Bidens arrive.

"For security purposes, GSA is not able to comment on services provided," said a spokesperson for the agency, which is responsible for helping get the East and West Wings ready for the incoming administration.

The job of prepping the mansion’s residential quarters for the new occupants falls to the White House chief usher’s office, which oversees the complex’s household staff and operations. The current chief usher is Timothy Harleth, who worked at the Trump International Hotel in Washington before Melania Trump tapped him for the White House job in 2017.

The first lady’s office did not respond to multiple questions about whether any anti-coronavirus measures would be taken to prepare the White House residence for the Bidens.

Sheldon Yellen, who operates a multinational property restoration company that has performed deep cleanings for thousands of clients since the coronavirus pandemic struck, advises giving the same cleansing treatment to a home before new occupants move in.

"If I were buying a new house right now or I were moving into a new house, I would surely want my new house thoroughly treated and cleaned," said Yellen, chief executive officer of Belfor Property Restoration in Birmingham, Michigan.



[link:https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/12/07/inauguration-day-bidens-move-into-white-house-complicated-covid/6250096002/|

[redstatebluegirl]

1. I feel so sorry for the staff of the white house.

They are dedicated to serving the first family, this one was a piece of work to be sure.

[CatMor]

2. They have to send in HazMat.

[underpants]

3. and a good sage rub from Marianne Williamson

[lame54]

4. Tent it

[unblock]

5. I would not trust a trump international hotels employee to do that job

I hope Biden brings in his own chief usher...

[Auggie]

6. Don't overlook these bugs: listening devices

Strip the Oval Office walls. I’ll understand if my tax money is used this way.

[NCDem47]

9. Never crossed my mind...

but you're right.

[Wounded Bear]

13. Absolutely necessary IMHO...

[pandr32]

7. It should be debugged as well

Swept for surveillance equipment.

[lettucebe]

21. Was going to say just this -- bet they are so excited to "spy" they're wetting themselves

[BannonsLiver]

8. A thorough sweep of surveillance devices must be conducted.

For all we know Trump has allowed Putin’s FSB unfettered access to the WH.

[William769]

10. Who's joking?

It's a hotbed for Covid-19.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

28. And likely a hotbed for electronic bugs as well.

Groups of Russians visited the Oval Office early in Trump's term, unescorted, unsupervised. The place needs a good sweeping.

[LuckyCharms]

11. They'll need someone like Belfor in there for 2 months.

https://www.belfor.com/en/us/coronavirus-deep-clean-services

[Miguelito Loveless]

12. The FBI needs to sweep ALL Republicon occupied offices

for bugs, bombs, and bio weapons.

The assumption should be that Russian agents have had unfettered access for 4 years.

[2naSalit]

18. +1

[matt819]

14. No one has asked me

But if I were Joe Biden I wouldn't operate from the White House until an absolutely thorough deep cleaning can be done, top to bottom and everywhere in between. Plus, and I can't believe I'm saying this, an electronic sweep, again top to bottom. Of course, the public will never know the results of the latter, but I would put money on finding stuff.

Whatever it takes and however long it takes. It would make sense for the WH to have a fairly complex and secure HVAC system. So all of these systems, in all areas, need to be cleaned, filtration devices updated/upgraded, etc., etc.

All workstations, esp. keyboards.

And stuff I'm probably overlooking.

And until that's done, he operates somewhere else, presumably a place he's already been operating.

That overlap/underlap of a few hours does not allow enough time to get it done. Joe doesn't need to make any reference to trump or the 41 WH officials who contracted the virus. Leave that to the press people.

[samnsara]

16. get rid of all the electronic surveillance bugs.....

[samnsara]

15. at least change out the toilet seats....

...maybe even replace the entire toilet....i wouldnt ever want to use something that trumps greasy ol butt touched...

[Sneederbunk]

17. An exorcism would be appropriate.

[Brother Mythos]

22. Absolutely!

One can never be too careful when dealing with the willing tools of Satan.

[brooklynite]

19. Why do people assume that this is an issue?

Of course the WH will be safe before the SS would let Biden enter.

[matt819]

23. The article refers to a day of moving out and moving in

Obviously well-choreographed.

But given 42 WH people infected with Covid and our not unfounded suspicions about the current occupant of the WH, together with the damn near instantaneous move-in/move-out, it's understandable that we, the people, might be concerned.

Of course, the Secret Service will do its thing, but I think Team Joe should take it many steps further and insist on more of a "deep clean."

[cwydro]

25. Thank you.

Some of what I’m reading here lately...

[Chainfire]

20. It may not be only biological bugs that they need to worry about either.

[BrightKnight]

26. Nixon's bugs come to mind. nt

[Ilsa]

29. I wonder if certain areas are swept regularly? nt

[Blue Owl]

24. Rip out the drywall, flooring, and ceilings and start over

I wouldn't want one molecule of tRump's DNA in that now-sullied place...

[Cha]

27. I'm not joking.. it needs to be

Done!