While he has not been seen in front of cameras wearing a face mask at public events such as his rally or tours of facilities, President Donald Trump says he expects to wear a mask to Walter Reed hospital.
Ahead of his trip to Walter Reed this weekend, Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity during a phone interview Thursday night, “I think it’s fine to wear a mask if it makes you feel comfortable.”
“I’ll be going to Walter Reed to see some of our great soldiers that have been injured. Badly injured,” he continued. “And also see some of our COVID workers, the people who have done such a great job.”
He added, “I expect to be wearing a mask when I go into Walter Reed. You’re in a hospital setting. I think it’s a very appropriate thing.”
Trump then went on to say he does not believe he needs to wear a mask routinely when he and others within the White House are being tested daily. Despite Trump’s claim, there have been people within the White House who have tested positive for the coronavirus.
See Trump’s comments below (starting at 19:40):
Trump has come under fire for not wearing a mask publicly amid the coronavirus pandemic.
When asked previously about Trump’s decision, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said, “The president has said he has no problem with masks, that he encourages people to make whatever decision is best for their safety and to follow what their local jurisdiction say.”
“CDC guidelines are still recommended but not required and the president is the most tested man in America,” McEnany added. “It’s his decision whether to wear a mask.”
On the push by some to have a federal mandate to wear masks, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said this week, “A national mandate is not in order. We’re allowing our governors and our local mayors to weigh in on that.”
Additionally, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams shared his concern about a federal mask mandate, citing two reasons, as IJR reported. Adams said “we don’t have an enforcement mechanism really to do that” and he worries about “over-policing and having a situation where you’re giving people one more reason to arrest a Black man.”