WASHINGTON (US) – Demonstrating a tectonic shift in rhetoric and tone, President Donald Trump encouraged citizens to wear face masks if they cannot maintain social distancing, warning that the pandemic would worsen.
Trump said in a press briefing that young people should avoid visiting crowded bars.
His remarks show that he has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.
“It will probably, unfortunately, get worse before it gets better – something I don’t like saying about things, but that’s the way it is,” Trump said.
As many as 142,000 people have died in the US because of the pandemic.
Earlier, Trump had de-emphasized the seriousness of the pandemic and referred to wearing of face masks as politically correct. He was also reluctant to wear a mask while appearing in public.
But he wore one for the first time when he recently visited a military hospital.
Some supporters of the president argue that requiring people to wear masks infringed on civil liberties. Very few people were seen wearing face coverings during Trump’s rally at Tulsa in Oklahoma earlier this summer.
“We’re asking everybody that when you are not able to socially distance, wear a mask, get a mask. Whether you like the mask or not, they have an impact. They’ll have an effect. And we need everything we can get,” the president said.
He said that he was getting used to wearing one and would do so in groups or while using the lift.
“I will use it, gladly,” he said. “Anything that potentially can help … is a good thing.”
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field