Despite the resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic in the south and west of the United States, Donald Trump still does not wear a mask in public. A position against which the voices of his party are raised.
The results of the last few weeks are more than mixed in the United States. While the reopening of bars had been authorized in California, Texas and Florida, the respective governors of these three states had to backtrack. In question: the resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic in the south and west of the country. In total, the territory counts more than 2.5 million cases and 126,141 deaths.
Despite the current context, Donald Trump still does not wear a mask in public. “At his meeting in Tulsa (Oklahoma), ten days ago, very few of his supporters had one”also points out The Sunday Journal. On May 22, the President of the United States admitted to having worn a mask during the visit to a Ford factory. “I wore one before. I wore one in this room behind. But I didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it”he assured, as reported The Parisian.
65% of Democrats wear a mask, compared to 35% of Republicans
Willingness to oppose the press or not, the fact is that Donald Trump does not position himself publicly for wearing a mask; on the contrary. He even made fun of Joe Biden, his Democratic presidential opponent on November 3, who wears it. One Ipsos poll for Axios highlights the extent of the division that reigns within the United States regarding barrier gestures. Indeed, 65% of Democrats say they wear a mask as soon as they leave their homes, compared to 35% of Republicans.
Nevertheless, within Donald Trump’s party, the question divides: Mike Pence, the vice-president of the United States finally appeared masked during a trip to Texas on June 28. “He encouraged Americans to do the same ‘when it is indicated or when social distancing is not possible'”, underline The echoes. Other members of the conservative party have positioned themselves more firmly, like Texas senator Marco Rubio.
“It would help if, from time to time, the president wore one”
“Everyone should just wear a damn mask”he said on June 24, according to The Sunday newspaper. The day before, Florida senator Rick Scott said: “We must – all of us – take this seriously, wear your mask, [respecter] social distancing”. Finally, already on June 17, Doug Ducey, the governor of Arizona, tweeted : “Protect yourself. Protect others. Help contain the spread of Covid-19. Wear a mask”.
Republican Senator Lamar Alexander went further, calling on Donald Trump to lead by example. “It would help if, from time to time, the president wore one. It would help us get rid of this political debate that if you’re for Trump, you don’t wear a mask and if you’re against Trump, you don’t wear a mask. do”he said on CNN, as noted The echoes.
Donald Trump, a “unique” scenario
In response to the criticism, Health Secretary Alex Azar defended the president. The latter would act as a scenario “unique”since he is being tested “regularly” ; an argument already put forward by the principal concerned. This tolerance may seem all the more paradoxical since Alex Azar also recalled the recommendations of the federal government – among which is the wearing of a mask – and recognized that the situation was “very serious” and “the window was closing to act and regain control” of the epidemic.
Remember that, if screening makes it possible to determine whether a person has Covid-19, wearing a mask aims to prevent the transmission of the virus, by blocking the expulsion of respiratory droplets from the nose or mouth. In fact, although he is frequently tested, nothing prevents Donald Trump from participating in the chain of contamination between his last screening and the next.
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