CDC Now Urges Masks — But Trump Says ‘You Don’t Have To Do It’

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now advising Americans to wear cloth face masks in public to reduce the chance of spreading Covid-19. But he sharply undercut the urgency of this recommendation, stressing in the White House briefing room that it was “voluntary” and remarking in an aside that he’s unlikely to comply with the advice.

“From recent studies, we know that the transmission from individuals without symptoms is playing a more significant role in the spread of the virus than previously understood,” Trump said, reading from a script. “In light of these studies, the CDC is advising the use of non-medical cloth-based covering as an additional voluntary public health measure.”

Then Trump, clear speaking off-the-cuff, added: “So it’s voluntary! You don’t have to do it. They suggest it for a period of time. But … this is voluntary. I don’t think I’m going to be doing it.” Continue reading.