President Joe Biden is declaring wearing a face mask amid the coronavirus pandemic is a “patriotic responsibility.”
“Are we no longer going to see the president of the United States outside with a mask on?” NBC’s Craig Melvin asked during his exclusive interview with the president.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidance this week that says fully vaccinated people can participate in outdoor activities without wearing a face mask unless they are in public spaces where masks are required.
Biden responded, “Sure,” adding that the likelihood of someone not approaching him outside is “not very high” so it will depend on the situation.
Continuing to encourage mask-wearing, Biden said, “It’s a small precaution to take that has a profound impact. It’s a patriotic responsibility for God’s sake.”
Watch the video below:
“Are we no longer going to see the president of the United States outside with a mask on?” –@craigmelvin asks President Biden pic.twitter.com/ymuvFy2GOt
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 30, 2021
A reporter pressed Biden on why he wore a mask while walking up to the podium outside the White House this week where he spoke about the new CDC guidelines. Biden is fully vaccinated.
“You chose to wear a mask as you walked out here. What message were you sending by wearing a mask outside alone?” a reporter asked.
Biden replied, “By watching me take it off and not put it back on until I get inside.” The president did not wear a mask outside when he walked away.
Roughly 30% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated, according to The New York Times. Forty-three percent of the population in the country has at least one dose. There has been a 27% decrease in new COVID-19 cases reported in the U.S. over a 14-day change.