Top Democrats Push For Nationwide Mask Mandate, Trump Pushes Back

TOPLINE

Several top Democratic officials, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden, have called for President Trump to issue a nationwide mask mandate as Covid-19 infections spike across the country, however, the president has downplayed the importance of face coverings, has not been seen in public wearing a mask, and has dismissed suggestions that he should wear one.

KEY FACTS

Key Background:

New coronavirus cases rose in 32 states this past week compared to the week prior. The U.S. surpassed 2.5 million confirmed cases over the weekend. According to the CDC and the vast majority of health experts and scientists, wearing a mask has proven effective at limiting the spread of Covid-19. Many pundits were surprised to see Vice President Mike Pence wearing a mask in public at an event in Dallas on Sunday. Pence encouraged citizens to do the same. White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx, who joined Pence in Texas, also urged Americans to wear masks. The Republican governors in Florida, Texas and Arizona have recently retreated to measures they once opposed, with many hospitals in those states operating at close to capacity. Last Wednesday, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) put it plainly: “Everyone should just wear a damn mask.” However, despite the recent shift in tone from many fellow Republicans, the president has not yet signaled a willingness to withdraw from his initial stance.

Critical Quote:

“The fact is, is that Donald Trump is for masking up like George Wallace was for integration. And we governors are urging people now to use this effective technique,” said Governor Jay Inslee on Sunday. “100% masking, means 100% opening up. And all of us should be on that bandwagon right now.”

Tangent:

A Republican sheriff in western Washington last week told residents “don’t be a sheep” in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s order that residents must wear face coverings in public, while a sheriff in the southern part of the state called Inslee an “idiot” who was “violating people’s constitutional rights.” Last Wednesday, more than 150 protesters gathered outside City Hall in Scottsdale, Arizona, to protest recent mask mandates. When first introduced at the rally, Councilman Guy Phillips shouted, “I can’t breathe!” before ripping off his mask.

News Peg:

Kansas City’s Democratic Mayor, Quinton Lucas, announced Friday that an updated order would go into effect on Monday, requiring facial coverings in all indoor public spaces. On Monday, he posted a message he received to his Facebook page that contained a racial slur and said Lucas should “hang from a tree” after he mandated wearing masks in public. 

Big Number:

25%: The United States accounts for less than 5% of the world’s population, yet (according to the latest Johns Hopkins data) the U.S. accounts for approximately 25% of the world’s total Covid-19 cases and 25% of the world’s coronavirus-related deaths.

Further Reading:

Sheriffs Resist Washington State’s Mask Mandate: ‘Don’t Be A Sheep’ (Forbes) 

Nancy Pelosi calls for CDC to mandate Americans wear masks amid surge in coronavirus cases (CNBC) 

Biden Says He Would Use Federal Power To Mandate Mask-Wearing (Forbes)