U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams implored Americans to wear masks in public on Monday, saying the entire Trump administration, including the president, believes they are one of the most effective tools to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
But Adams failed to push for a mask mandate at the national level, arguing that a federal order would need a “federal enforcement mechanism.” He cited tensions in Portland, Oregon, following the deployment of federal police in the city as one reason why such a mandate could cause problems for local communities trying to stifle the spread of the virus.
The comments came as parts of the US experienced a sustained increase in coronavirus cases, prompting many states to pause reopening plans and implement orders that require facial coatings. The increase in cases has led to a greater public drive by state leaders and senior health officials for the use of face masks.
Adams emphasized while appearing on “Fox & Friends” that “this entire administration now supports the skins.”
At Fox & Friends, the Surgeon General advocates wearing masks, but does not ask for a federal mandate, because that would require a “federal enforcement mechanism” that might resemble Portland, OR. pic.twitter.com/ktGHa6RmOf
– Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) July 20, 2020
“In the future, I want people to understand, we are all on the same page,” Adams said, quoting President Trump
Donald John Trump Kanye West says Harriet Tubman “never freed slaves” at rally Trump-Afghanistan deal passes key period, but evasive Republican peacekeepers in worst-hit states separated by COVID response -19 MORERecent comments in which you expressed your support for its use. “We believe [masks] they are one of the most effective ways of opening our country, as well as making sure that we are practicing social distancing and that we practice good hygiene. “
Trump has been reluctant to wear face covers in public settings. He was wearing a mask for the first time earlier this month during a visit to Walter Reed Hospital to meet with patients at the center. But in comments made to Chris Wallace of Fox News on Friday, he said he opposed calls to issue a national order ordering the masks.
“I want people to have a certain freedom and I don’t believe in that, no,” Trump said, noting that he considers himself a “believer in the masks.”
Adams expressed his support for Trump’s remarks on Monday, saying that “he would prefer to help people understand why they should cooperate with wearing a mask and how they benefit from it rather than simply saying that we are going to compel him to do so.” .
“If you’re going to have a mandate, I think those work best at the local and state level, where you have the ability to work with people, educate them, and not let them feel that there is an outside entity trying to tell them what to do,” he said.
But Adams also argued that the mask policy was getting in the way of health recommendations. He emphasized that the high degree of asymptomatic spread was the main reason why mask recommendations were issued.
“Facial coatings are a way to reopen and stay open. That’s what science says,” he said, noting that up to 50 percent of coronavirus infections could be transmitted from people without symptoms.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first recommended the use of facial coatings to delay the spread of the new coronavirus in April. The agency last week released a guideline stating that the United States could control the pandemic if face masks are used universally.
“If we could get everyone to wear a mask right now, I really believe that for the next four, six, or eight weeks we could control this epidemic,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield.
Instead of a national mandate, dozens of states have issued state-level orders requiring people to wear face masks in public settings where social distancing is not possible. Colorado and Arkansas became the last states to require facial covers last Friday.
As of Monday, the US had reported more than 3.7 million cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, and more than 140,000 deaths from it.
Trump has repeatedly said that the United States’ ability to test is a cause of the high number of cases, although health officials have disputed the claim.
.
