Former vice president Joe Biden turned 78 last Friday, and a viral tweet claimed he attended a maskless birthday celebration this year. But did Biden really break protocol during that event?

On November 20, 2020, Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms posted a video of a maskless birthday celebration with Biden.

It was the same video used in the viral tweet saying, "They're telling us to social distance & wear mask! But as you can see... they're not!"

But the maskless birthday video with Biden wasn't shot in 2020. Instead it was taken in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic began to infect many Americans, said Snopes in its fact check.

Bottom also clarified this about an hour later in a quote tweet, saying the clip was from a previous birthday celebration "Pre-Covid."

Screenshot of a tweet from Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms)
Screenshot of a tweet from Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) @KeishaBottoms on Twitter

But the clarification did not stop rumors from spreading.

Biden Works on His 78th Birthday

NPR's Ron Elving said the Democratic presidential nominee tried to celebrate his 78th birthday, but did not provide further details as to what Biden did during that day.

But Associated Press said in a report that Biden spent his birthday in Delaware preparing for a possible government transition.

He met with the Congress' top two Democrats: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer.

During the meeting, Pelosi reportedly gave Biden a white orchid, which is one of her signature flowers, an aide said.

If official results find that Biden did win the election, as media projections say, he will be sworn in as the oldest president in U.S. history-less than four year Trump's senior.

He could replace Ronald Raegan, who left the presidency at 77 years old.

Biden's COVID-19 Plans During Transition

There's been backlash regarding the Biden teams blocked access in helping fight the coronavirus.

Since President Donald Trump refused to concede to Biden and had instead filed a slew of lawsuits challenging the election results, Biden's transition team can't be given access to various federal resources.

They also can't work with federal officials even if they do have plans in fighting the pandemic.

"There's the need to pass the torch on COVID research and relief," said Elving. "There's the need to reach out to allies and trading partners."

Elving also noted some "opportunities at risk" at the Congress level with the stalled negotiations on stimulus relief that could help businesses and families from staying afloat the crisis

Jake Sullivan, a senior Biden adviser, said their team's plan is not about closing down the U.S. economy.

He told USA Today that Biden's strategy "focuses on national guidance that can be tailored to local situations."

"[I]t's about actually taking the kinds of steps that can help you avoid full shutdown," Sullivan said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel said last week that if Biden does get declared the winner of the November 3 race, there will be an "orderly" transition of power."

He noted that there are some lawsuits still pending before a transition can occur, but assured that "all of this will happen right on time."