New Coronavirus Culture War: Some Republicans (Like Trump) Ditch Masks

TOPLINE

Wearing masks have emerged as a new dividing line in the culture war, pitting some Democrats, who have been more supportive of face mask requirements, against some Republicans—including President Trump, who reportedly thinks wearing one will hurt his election chances—who have pushed back on the restrictions as going too far, and in some cases, refused to wear them themselves. 

KEY FACTS

News peg

Trump’s valet reportedly tested positive for the virus, while The White House, Politico reports, is “a relatively mask-free zone.”

Tangent

Congressional Democrats have also pushed for requiring masks on airplanes, but the Trump administration pushed back on the idea.

Crucial quote 

Robert Kahn, a law professor at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis who has studied Americans’ attitudes toward masks, told the Washington Post that refusing to wear a mask was a visible way for Trump supporters to demonstrate “that ‘I’m a Republican,’ or ‘I want businesses to start up again,’ or ‘I support the president.’” Many of the right-wing protesters who demonstrated against stay-at-home orders across the country were criticized for not wearing masks. 

Chief critic 

In response to the criticism levied toward Pence for not wearing a mask at the Mayo Clinic, conservative Fox News host Laura Ingraham said that “social control over large populations is achieved through fear and intimidation and suppression of free thought.”

Key background

For the first few months of the outbreak, public health officials, unsure about the nature of the virus and with masks in short supply, did not advise all Americans to wear a mask. But once scientists discovered that the virus could be transmitted among asymptomatic people, the thinking changed. Health officials advise that people wear masks to help minimize the spread of the virus, saying masks could protect people who come in contact with asymptomatic contagious people.

Further reading

Masks Become a Flash Point in the Virus Culture Wars (New York Times)

Wearing a mask is for smug liberals. Refusing to is for reckless Republicans. (Politico)

Masks become a flash point for protests and fights as businesses, beaches and parks reopen (Washington Post)

Will Americans wear masks to prevent coronavirus spread? Politics, history, race and crime factor into tough decision (Washington Post)