Ford Will Require President Trump To Wear Mask On Tour That Violates Governor’s Ban

TOPLINE

President Trump is scheduled to visit a Ford plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on Thursday despite Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recent executive order prohibiting such tours, and the automaker said it expects Trump to wear a mask.

KEY FACTS

Critical quote: 

“Our policy is that everyone wears PPE to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Ford spokeswoman Rachel McCleery said. “We shared all of Ford’s safety protocols, including our manufacturing playbook, employee pamphlet and self-assessment survey with the White House ahead of time and in preparation for this trip.”

Key Number: 

50,000: Ford has set a goal of producing 50,000 ventilators in 100 days at the facility.

Key Background:

This will be the president’s second visit to the battleground state this year, after touring another auto plant in January. Trump didn’t wear a mask last week when he toured an Owens & Minor
OMI
medical equipment distribution center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, or when he toured a mask factory in Phoenix. Following the tour, Trump is expected to deliver remarks, including comments on a partnership between Ford and General Electric
GE
to produce PPE and ventilators. Whitmer’s office said Monday that the White House had not invited her to attend and that the governor is planning to volunteer at a school that day distributing meals to children and their families. “While the president’s visit is contrary to the governor’s order, this is an opportunity to showcase how important Michigan is to the response to COVID-19 and rebuilding our nation’s economy,” said Whitmer spokesperson Zack Pohl.

Further Reading:

Trump planning Thursday tour of Michigan Ford plant where ventilators, PPE are made (MLive) 

Whitmer order bans’ nonessential’ plant tours, but Trump’s Ford visit still on; automaker will require mask (Crain’s Business Detroit) 

Executive Order No. 2020-91 – Safeguards to protect Michigan’s workers from COVID-19 (State of Michigan)

Michigan automakers could produce ventilators, medical supplies to combat coronavirus (MLive)