The president once more insisted the virus would “disappear” however conceded that it remained critical. “We've got embers and fires, and we now ha
The president once more insisted the virus would “disappear” however conceded that it remained critical. “We’ve got embers and fires, and we now have massive fires, and sadly now Florida is in a bit of robust or in an enormous robust place,” he mentioned.
Weeks after claiming that “99 p.c” of coronavirus instances had been “completely innocent,” the president sounded much less sanguine on Tuesday, calling it “a nasty horrible illness,” though he continued to falsely insist that the mortality fee in the US was among the many lowest on the earth.
Mr. Trump additionally urged Individuals to keep away from packed bars and provided his most sturdy endorsement of masks, saying, “when you’ll be able to, use a masks,” whilst he falsely claimed he had at all times been supportive. “I’ve no downside with the masks,” he mentioned, holding up a blue one with a presidential seal. “I view it this fashion: Something that doubtlessly may help, and that actually can doubtlessly assist, is an effective factor. I’ve no downside. I carry it. I put on it. You noticed me carrying it various occasions, and I’ll proceed.”
Actually, Mr. Trump has worn a masks in public on just one event: when he knew he could be photographed, throughout a latest go to to Walter Reed Nationwide Navy Medical Heart in Maryland. Till then, he typically disparaged masks: In April, after public well being advisers beneficial carrying them, he mentioned, “I don’t suppose I’m going to be doing it.” Mr. Trump mocked Mr. Biden in Could for donning one, calling them “a double-edged sword” and even suggesting that carrying a masks was a political assertion towards him.
And even after posting a Twitter message on Monday urging masks, the president was noticed that evening at his Washington resort mingling with visitors with out carrying one.
He shifted his stance solely after many senior Republicans, together with Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the bulk chief, and a number of other governors started selling them extra vigorously. By this week, Mr. Trump started saying that it was “patriotic” to put on a masks, in distinction to his supporters, who’ve claimed that mandating masks is an infringement on their civil liberties.
However even because the president sought to recalibrate his message on the virus, he was struggling to reconcile it with the remainder of his workforce. Requested at an earlier information briefing about Mr. Trump’s failure to put on a masks at his resort, Kayleigh McEnany, the White Home press secretary, informed reporters that it was not as pressing for the president to put on one since he was examined usually for the virus.