President Donald Trump urged Americans to wear masks in public as CCP virus cases continue to rise across the United States.
It comes after senior Republicans have called on Americans to start wearing masks as infections rise and as some health experts warned that the pandemic would persist for months.
“If I were in a group of people and I was close, I would. I have. People have seen me wearing one, if I’m in a group of people where we’re not 10 feet away,” the president said. “Usually I’m not in that position and everyone’s tested because I’m the president and they get tested before they see me, [but] if I were in a tight situation with people, I would absolutely,” he added.
Trump said people “should” wear the masks if they “feel good about” doing so.
The president was also asked if he would wear a mask in public. Trump said he wouldn’t commit to it but wouldn’t rule it out.
“I’d have no problem. Actually I had a mask on and I said I liked the way I looked. I thought it was OK,” Trump said. “It was a dark black mask and I thought it looked OK. It looked like the Lone Ranger, but I have no problem with that,” he continued.
On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called on people to wear masks after cases reached record highs.
“We must have no stigma, none, about wearing masks when we leave our homes and come near other people,” McConnell said on the floor of the Senate. “Wearing simple face coverings is not about protecting ourselves, it is about protecting everyone we encounter.”
“In fact, the more we dislike the pain and suffering caused by the strict stay-home guidelines a few months ago, the happier we should be to take reasonable small steps every day to ensure our country can stay on offense against the virus,” McConnell added.