Biden states the "pandemic is over," local experts and community members react

KETTERING, Ohio (WKEF) -- Officials responded to President Joe Biden's recent statement, when he said that the pandemic is over.

“We still have a problem with COVID. We’re still doing a lot of work on it. But the pandemic is over," said President Biden.

The White House is clarifying the president's statements. The press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told MSNBC this week that the virus is quote “more manageable."

Dayton 24/7 Now's Clara Faith spoke with Dr. Jeffrey Weinstein, Patient Safety Officer at Kettering Health. He disagrees with the president's statement and advises people to exercise caution.

“We’re really not beyond COVID yet. The pandemic is not over, for one thing we still have it in Ohio, we’re about 12,000 cases per week and that does not count people who self-tested at home,” said Weinstein.

According to Dr. Weinstein, only medical professionals should make such statements, not the president.

“A president doesn’t have the authorities to claim that a pandemic is over, that really falls to international and national health agencies,” said Weinstein.

Local residents we spoke with told us, there should be a focus on health with the threat of COVID-19 remaining.

“You should be eating healthy, getting your rest,” said Tom Reed. "And for those who are immunocompromised, I would say that’s an individual thing with your doctor, you need to work with your own doctor."

According to the Ohio Department of Health, more than 40,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported this month.

A couple told us today that despite the president’s declaration, there’s still some concern.

“I don’t think it’s totally a thing of the past, but I don’t think it was as big as we were led to believe,” said Dixie Baker.

Meanwhile, they believe that COVID-19 is becoming normal within society.

“I think it’s on its way out, things seem to be very open now. Hopefully businesses are getting back to normal business,” said Bill Baker.

There are over 1,900 confirmed cases for the Montgomery County region. Dr. Weinstein urges individuals to be cautious and get tested if you feel sick.

“I think it's still a good idea for people to test themselves if they have a cough or they have a fever, they have respiratory symptoms because that way you can do things to prevent from spreading it to others,” said Weinstein.