Joe Biden’s Night at Fiola Mare Invites Criticism Over Maskless Exit
President Joe Biden enjoyed a rare meal out in D.C. at posh Italian restaurant Fiola Mare this weekend, drawing attention to the established power dining spot in Georgetown — and becoming the latest prominent politician to get caught with their mask down.
Observers captured photos and videos of the president and First Lady Jill Biden walking through the restaurant to leave without wearing masks. Since D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser reinstated the city’s indoor mask mandate in July, diners are supposed to cover their faces whenever they’re not actively eating and drinking.
The presidential couple’s mask slip-up generated headlines for conservative-friendly outlets like the New York Post, Fox News, and Breitbart. Right-wing commentators and politicians pounced on the opportunity to criticize the president.
Bowser has already had to contend with the verbiage of her own order, because a Washington Examiner writer snapped photos of her without a mask on during a wedding reception inside the Line hotel. San Francisco Mayor London Breed also drew heat for dancing and singing near a table of food and drinks, apparently violating a similar order in her city, then dubbed her critics the “fun police.”
According to DC Health data, more than 60 percent of residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and more than 72 percent are partially vaccinated. As of October 13, the daily case rate was still at seven-day average of 15.6 per 100,000 people, which the city designates as “substantial.” Over the past week, daily cases in D.C. have fallen by nearly 25 percent, the Washington Post reports.
