- President Donald Trump attended a Texas fundraiser without a mask on Wednesday and there was obviously no forced social distancing as coronavirus cases in the state increased.
- Trump traveled to the Double Eagle Energy oil platform in Texas to speak about the oil and gas industry, criticizing Democrats’ clean energy policies.
- As of Wednesday, Texas has more than 421,000 coronavirus infections, and nearly 6,800 people have died from COVID-19 in the state.
- Trump said it was “all for” the masks and suggested it was “patriotic” to wear one after months of refusing to wear one in public and condemning its use as a political tactic.
- Health experts have recommended wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
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President Donald Trump was photographed attending a mask-less and visibly forced social distancing in Texas as coronavirus cases increase in the state.
As of Wednesday, the U.S. has more than 4.4 million confirmed cases, with the death toll exceeding 150,000. In the state of Texas alone, more than 421,000 coronavirus infections have been reported, and almost 6,800 people have died from COVID-19.
Trump traveled to the Double Eagle Energy oil platform in Texas to speak about the oil and gas industry, criticizing Democrats’ clean energy policies.
“We are telling Washington politicians trying to abolish American energy: don’t mess with Texas,” Trump said at the event, according to a report by The Texas Tribune.
The president was expected to attend the event with Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas, but the congressman tested positive for the coronavirus shortly before the event.
Gohmert repeatedly refused to wear a mask on the floor of the Chamber, and said in an interview with CNN last month that he would only wear a mask only if he contracted the virus. His diagnosis led to several legislators with whom he had contact in quarantine. He was also in contact with US Attorney General Bill Barr, who is monitoring the symptoms.
In a change of heart, Trump recently said it was “all for” masks and suggested it was “patriotic” to wear one after months of refusing to wear one in public and condemning its use as a political tactic.
The president was publicly photographed wearing a mask for the first time while visiting the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on July 11. He claimed he was using one because he did not want to “spread anything” to the soldiers at the hospital.
Health experts have recommended wearing a face mask to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. While not 100% effective, studies have shown that facial coatings contain a few drops that may have viral particles. Experts have also advised people to practice keeping at least six feet together and discourage large group meetings.
