Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) said Friday there must be a “consistent national message” from President Trump
Donald John Trump Miami-Dade will close the beaches during the weekend of July 4 by coronavirus fears that an Oklahoma reporter will test positive for COVID-19 after attending the Trump rally in Tulsa Trump criticizes the Governor of Illinois, Mayor for violence in Chicago calls for ‘law and order’ MORE on the use of face masks during the coronavirus pandemic.
MSNBC’s Chuck Todd asked the governor on his show if it would be easier to encourage voters in Arkansas to cover their faces if the president also actively promoted them.
“A consistent national message supporting the importance of wearing a mask and social distancing is very important to making sure everyone understands the importance of it,” said Hutchinson. “Nothing beats leadership. It is certainly important to convey the importance of that. “
Hutchinson added that the president is right to want to reopen the national economy, but added: “You must also have the message to take the right health care precautions.”
Vice President Pence was asked Friday about the politicization of mask use during the White House coronavirus force’s first briefing in nearly 2 months.
Pence, who did not wear a mask at the briefing, said people should follow the advice of their local health officials.
He listed the ways in which Americans can protect themselves and others against coronavirus (wash their hands, avoid touching their faces, disinfect frequently), but did not refer to the two main protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Disease Prevention, wearing a face mask and social distancing.
Pence also defended the Trump campaign’s decision to hold major campaign events amid the pandemic, despite the federal government’s own directives against holding large indoor gatherings.
“Freedom of expression, the right to assemble peacefully is enshrined in the United States Constitution, and we have elections this fall,” said Pence.
– @ PaulaReidCBS to Pence: “It really sounds like you’re saying, ‘Do what we say, not what we do.’ You’re telling people to listen to local officials, but in Tulsa you challenged local health officials. How can you say the campaign is not part of the problem? Pic.twitter.com/96dkjow28L
– Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) June 26, 2020
Wearing a mask has become a political problem in recent months despite the insistence of the main health officials of the Trump administration. Various federal health officials, including members of the coronavirus working group Deborah Birx and Anthony Fauci
Anthony FauciPelosi: Trump does not wear a mask is “cowardly” Nightly medical attention: the White House seeks to reassure amid the peaks of COVID-19 | Florida Blocks Bars from Serving Alcohol After Breaking Record of New Coronavirus Cases | Administration Extends Texas Fauci Test Funding Warns Latest Outbreaks Could Spread MORE, wore masks except when speaking at the Friday briefing.
Multiple Democratic governors have issued Statewide mandates to wear masks, although Trump himself has refused to cover his face in public, drawing bipartisan criticism.
Rep. Liz Cheney
Elizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyLiz Cheney tweets an image of Dick Cheney wearing a mask: ‘#realmenwearmasks’ Republican lawmakers express support for Israeli plan to annex areas at West Bank House Republican leaders condemn candidate who said blacks should be ‘proud’ of confederate statues MORE (Wyo.), The No. 3 Republican in the House, urged people to wear a mask Friday by tweeting a photo of her father, former vice president. Dick cheney (R), wearing one.
Added the hashtag “#realmenwearmasks”.
Dick Cheney says WEAR A MASK. #realmenwearmasks pic.twitter.com/iBfVoa7ypL
– Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) June 26, 2020
Arkansas has reported 18,740 coronavirus cases and currently has 284 people hospitalized due to the disease, according to figures released Friday by the state health department. About 250 people have died from the disease in the state.
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