Sen. Lamar Alexander said President Trump has an opportunity to convince millions of people to wear masks and contain the spread of the coronavirus just by leading by example.
“I wish the president would wear a mask when it’s appropriate because millions of Americans admire him,” the Tennessee Republican told CNN’s Inside Politics on Sunday. “And they would follow his lead. And his experts have told all of us that — that, social distancing, and washing your hands is the way we can contain the disease, to go back to school and back to work.”
Alexander has been seen wearing a mask along with many other lawmakers in compliance with public health guidelines to help prevent the spread COVID-19. In contrast, Trump has often refused to wear a mask in public and has come under scrutiny by other public officials and the media in his decision to not wear one. The White House has also emphasized that the CDC guidelines on masks are recommendations and not mandatory.
Alexander said Trump’s wearing a mask would also help heal the political debate into which the issue has escalated.
“I’m just saying, if wearing masks is important, and all the health experts tell us that it is in containing the disease in 2020, it would help if from time to time the president would wear one to help us get rid of this political debate that says if you’re for Trump, you don’t wear a mask, and if you’re against Trump, you do,” he said.
The senator also noted that he understands there are already precautionary health standards in place for Trump as the president despite his reluctance to wear a face covering.
“Most of the time he’s with people who have been tested, he’s been tested, so they’re not infecting others,” Alexander said. “But there are times when he could wear a mask, the vice president could wear a mask, it would signal to the country that it’s important to do so.”
