Donald Trump was visiting the wounded service members and health care providers caring for COVID-19 patients at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in suburban Washington when he was spotted wearing a mask in public.
US President Donald Trump was seen wearing a face mask during a visit to a military hospital on Saturday, making it the first time he complied with the recommended facial covering by health officials to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Trump was visiting the wounded service members and health care providers caring for COVID-19 patients at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in suburban Washington when he was spotted wearing a mask.
Netizens Response Over ‘Trump Wearing Mask’
As the news broke out, many took to social media to remark that Trump finally realised the gravity of the situation. However, there were others who felt that he was too late in embracing the mask in public.
Better late than never.
— Zigmeister (@_Zigmeister_) July 12, 2020
I had a feeling this is why Trump refused to wear a mask.
Now he’s been exposed as a member of an eviI, globaI paramiIitary group. pic.twitter.com/A86gZggSqN
— Matthew SNOWFLAKE❄️AF 🆘 (@mshalk) July 12, 2020
The fool does in the end what the the wise does from the beginning
— Akinmade (@Kinzuah) July 11, 2020
He should a paper bag over his head … Shame for not protecting the military
— Cidalia Borges (@borges_cidalia) July 11, 2020
Trump had previously refused to wear a face mask or endorse wearing even as the virus infected more than 3 million people in the US since March.
However, several other Republicans and Governors of various states have been encouraging and endorsing the use of face mask as cases continue to surge in the country.
Earlier, a video of North Dakota governor Doug Burgum pleading with residents to not politicise a person’s choice to wear a face cover amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic had gone viral on social media. Burgum’s emotional plea came in as reports of discrimination against people wearing masks continued to rise in the US.
The change of tone came as the US recorded 66,528 coronavirus cases on Saturday, a new daily record.
‘I’m all for masks,’ says Trump in change of tone
What has Trump said about face masks?
Speaking to Fox Business Network last week, Mr Trump said: “I’m all for masks.”
He added that he “sort of liked” how he looked with one on, likening himself to the Lone Ranger, a fictional masked hero who with his Native American friend, Tonto, fought outlaws in the American Old West.
But when the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in April began recommending people wear masks or cloth coverings in public to help stop the spread of the virus, Mr Trump told reporters he would not follow the practice.
“I don’t think I’m going to be doing it,” he said back then. “Wearing a face mask as I greet presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens – I just don’t see it.”
The US has encountered another 66,528 contaminations in the past 24 hours, a reported record for a single day, and a aggregrate of almost 135,000 deaths since the pandemic started, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
Louisiana has become the most recent state to ask that face masks be worn in public.
