U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar is declining to criticize President Donald Trump’s family after they failed to wear masks during the first presidential debate on Tuesday night.
During his testimony before Congress on Friday, House Small Business Chair Nydia Velázquez pressed Azar on whether there is “any value” in wearing masks.
“Absolutely. We recommend it,” Azar said.
She asked Azar if the first family’s choice not to wear masks during the debate makes his “job more difficult.”
“Our recommendations are always to wash your hands, watch your distance, wear a face covering when you can’t engage in social distance, and avoid settings where you can’t do those three things,” Azar said.
He added, “Now, the first family and the protective aspect around the president is a different situation than the rest of us because of the protocols around the first family.”
Watch his comments below:
The secretary of health and human services, Alex Azar, defended President Trump's family for not wearing masks at the presidential debate. The first family is “in a different situation than the rest of us,” he said. https://t.co/Nizd1OzNhY pic.twitter.com/zQ44l4WPPX
— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 2, 2020
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, as IJR previously reported.
Trump wrote on Twitter, “We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!”
According to his physician, they are “both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence.”
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) told CNN on Friday, “No one was wearing masks in the room when we were prepping the president during that period of time. The group was about five or six people in total.”
Vice President Pence and the second lady tested negative for COVID-19, as IJR previously reported.
“Vice President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery,” spokesman Devin O’Malley said.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his wife also offered well-wishes to the president and the first lady.
They said they are sending “our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery.”