Tag: face masks

Face masks remain symbol of division as Gov. Tim Walz considers mandate

The partisan divide was apparent on the face of every Minnesota lawmaker gathered for the private meeting at the State Capitol in June.

It was the closing hours of the last special session and the group of dealmakers remained at odds on the intricacies of police reform. But before negotiations even began, there was a stark contrast: Every Democrat entered the room with a face covering; but not one Republican wore a mask.

The face mask — a basic item health officials consider a simple precaution against the spread of COVID-19 — has become a symbol of political division across the state and the nation. Continue reading.

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.

CDC recommends face coverings for people leaving home

The Hill logoPresident Trump announced on Friday that his administration would recommend Americans wear homemade masks or face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 — but he repeatedly emphasized that the guidance is “voluntary.”

“It’s going to be really a voluntary thing,” Trump said during a White House briefing with reporters.

“You can do it. You don’t have to do it. I’m choosing not to do it, but some people may want to do it, and that’s OK,” he said. Continue reading.

White House expected to urge Americans to wear face coverings in public to slow spread of coronavirus

Washington Post logo Free article The White House is poised to urge Americans to wear cloth masks or face coverings in public to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, in a reversal of earlier advice.

President Trump said Thursday at a coronavirus task force briefing that “a recommendation is coming out,” but “I don’t think it will be mandatory. If people want to wear them, they can.” Vice President Pence, who heads the task force, confirmed new guidance would be released in “coming days.”

Later, however, a White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to relate internal discussions, said that the guidance being considered is “narrowly targeted to areas with high community transmission” and that the matter remains under discussion. Continue reading. 

CDC considering recommending general public wear face coverings in public

Washington Post logoShould we all be wearing masks? That simple question is under review by officials in the U.S. government and has sparked a grass-roots pro-mask movement. But there’s still no consensus on whether widespread use of facial coverings would make a significant difference, and some infectious disease experts worry that masks could lull people into a false sense of security and make them less disciplined about social distancing.

In recent days, more people have taken to covering their faces, although it remains a scattershot strategy driven by personal choice. The government does not recommend it.

That may change. Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are considering altering the official guidance to encourage people to take measures to cover their faces amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to a federal official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because it is an ongoing matter of internal discussion and nothing has been finalized. Continue reading. Free article.