Critics slam Obama's party as Covid 'super spreader' event as cases spike in Martha's Vineyard after maskless bash

AT least 74 people have tested positive for Covid-19 on Martha's Vineyard since Barack Obama hosted his controversial maskless 60th birthday party on the island last weekend.

Critics have been quick to blast the former president online by using the hashtags "#superspreader" and "#ObamaVariant" when referring to his star-studded soiree that was held on August 7.

The positive test count is the highest number of Covid cases the island has had since April, the Daily Mail reports.

A health official for the Martha’s Vineyard town of Tisbury, however, said it's too early to know whether the hundreds of guests and workers who gathered for Obama's bash directly contributed to the surge.

"At this time we're not aware of any cases connected to the Obama party," Tisbury health agent and boards of health spokesperson Maura Valley told the outlet.

"It's a little too early and the only way we're going to know is through comprehensive contact tracing."

'IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW'

Martha’s Vineyard Hospital spokeswoman Marissa Lefebvre similarly told the Boston Herald that this is "the busiest time on the island", and "It’s impossible for us to know at this point" if Obama's party is the cause.

Still, the criticism flooded in thick and fast on social media, with Bryan Fischer referring to Obama as the "Super-Spreader-In-Chief."

Others seized on the opportunity to mock remarks made by New York Times reporter Annie Karni days after the event who sought to assuage concerns the party was a Covid risk because of the "sophisticated, vaccinated" guests who attended.

Speaking to those remarks, one critic wrote: "Yes but it’s a more sophisticated variant. Nothing to worry about."

Similarly, Fox News' Lisa Boothe wrote: "I guess they weren't sophisticated enough."

"If these people all went to Obama’s superspreader bash, all I can say is serve them right," added Dinesh D'Souza.

"The virus, it turns out, doesn’t make an exception for 'sophisticated' hypocrites."

'OBAMA VARIANT'

Obama held his 60th birthday party last Saturday on his near-30-acre property in Martha's Vineyard, which he and former first lady Michelle purchased for $11.75 million.

He was forced to scale back his initial plans for the party amid widespread criticism after it was revealed he'd originally planned to invite upwards of 500 guests.

Instead, he settled to celebrate only with family and a bevy of close friends, including the likes of Jay-Z, Beyonce, John Legend, Dwayne Wade, George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Oprah Winfrey, and Bruce Springsteen.

The former commander-in-chief was photographed dancing maskless and embracing guests on a dancefloor, further stoking the flames of ire online.

Guests were, however, asked to be fully vaccinated ahead of the event and Obama reportedly hired a "Covid coordinator" to oversee the festivities.

But still, Obama and his guests were seen gathered together in large groups, with only the staff of the event seen wearing masks.

It came even as the CDC last week recommended that people – including those fully vaccinated against Covid – resume wearing face coverings in public indoor spaces.

This is particularly advised for areas of “substantial or high transmission” to protect against the Delta variant.

The CDC website has listed the rate of transmission in Dukes County, Massachusetts, which includes the island of Martha’s Vineyard, as “substantial.”

'HYPOCRITE'

Donald Trump also blasted Obama in a statement issued through his Save America PAC on Wednesday, writing: "While the radical Democrats are forcing unnecessary mask mandates on the American People, they have no plans to wear masks themselves."

The note from the team of the 45th president was titled "Obama is a hypocrite."

It continued: "Hundreds of Hollywood Elites flocked to Martha’s Vineyard recently to celebrate Barack Obama’s birthday – maskless.

"The ELITES who live on the COAST love nothing more than imposing restrictions on everyday Patriots, like YOU."

Obama has not yet commented on the controversy.

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