President Donald Trump's own Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that every American wear a face mask or other facial covering when in a public setting.
Given the high rate of asymptomatic carriers of the virus, wearing a mask is effective at preventing the spread of the virus from those who don't know they have it to more vulnerable communities like seniors and those with pre-existing health complications.
Wearing a mask isn't a measure of one's willingness to protect oneself, it's a measure of one's willingness to protect others.
That's why it may not come as a surprise that Trump has shown great reluctance in wearing a mask and a downright refusal to wear one in front of the press, feeling that it makes him look weak.
This is in strong contrast to former Vice President—and presumptive Democratic nominee—Joe Biden, who emerged from his home this Memorial Day weekend with his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, to place a wreath on a veterans' memorial near his Delaware home.
Biden's display of decency and deference to science received widespread praise, while Trump's rage-tweeting and golfing saw widespread criticism.
The President's latest White House Press Secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, attempted to knock Biden down a peg with an awkward observation,
Watch below.
.@jeffmason1: POTUS retweeted a criticism of Joe Biden wearing a mask. Why would he do that? McENANY: It's a bit p… https://t.co/U3J4ATLGps— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1590517047.0
McEnany was addressing Trump's retweet of a criticism from Fox News' Brit Hume, who said the sight of Biden wearing a mask could explain Trump's refusal to do so.
McEnany said:
"The President's excited to see that Joe emerged from his basement. It's a bit peculiar that he doesn't wear a mask in his basement, but he wears one outdoors."
The CDC doesn't recommend wearing a mask in your home or when solely with those who live with you. A mask is only necessary when in public and interacting with those outside your place of residence.
Kayleigh either doesn't know the guidelines or is relying on the willingness of Trump's supporters to take what the administration says at face value.
Either way, the statement was met with ridicule.
Goebbels Barbie has somehow proven to be even worse than I expected. https://t.co/ZEuBuM3faz— Joshua Holland (@Joshua Holland) 1590518044.0
I really wish the follow up here was, "Why would you say something so dumb? Is that how little respect you have for… https://t.co/7wSbGxNGcJ— Schooley (@Schooley) 1590523170.0
It’s peculiar that he doesn’t wear a mask in his house but does in public? Where he’s around others? What’s most p… https://t.co/WIWQE0SWsI— Bryan Behar (@Bryan Behar) 1590522483.0
The Trump administration is making fairly straightforward—and potentially lifesaving—guidelines confusing.
The obvious fact that political pundits aren't stating clearly: The highly inconsistent messages sent by the White… https://t.co/jh1FnNuqPj— Jonathan Ladd (@Jonathan Ladd) 1590524216.0
So the White House guidance is that you either wear a mask at all times - including in the basement of your home -… https://t.co/8S1SMWJtap— Don Moynihan (@Don Moynihan) 1590518874.0
This would be hilarious if it wasn't an exchange with the official spokesperson for the President of the United Sta… https://t.co/tSldi1Xs27— Andrew Bates (@Andrew Bates) 1590518641.0
If you're in public and you don't have a condition that precludes it, please wear a mask.