It’s so strange. You notice one day that Melania Trump is wearing a mask (great!) and encouraging her fellow Americans to do the same (even better!), and then another day, at an official meeting, the first lady is the only one not wearing a mask in a room full of people. The reason for the gathering was health-focused: Trump, as the founding member of the “Be Best” club, was briefed on the Presidential Task Force on Protecting Native American Children in the Indian Health Service System on Thursday. Those with her, some of them appointees to the task force, did appear to wear masks.
Which is odd, you know? No matter the reason for the meeting, it sends the signal that certain people are exempt from the precaution that 10 out of 10 Dr. Anthony Faucis agree is the best way to contain the ever multiplying spread of the virus. And it’s odder, still, that she forewent a mask in an official meeting after promoting images of herself wearing one alongside firemen and teachers as well as in an Instagram PSA. She is probably getting tested regularly, and they’re probably those high-octane, elite tests, which have results back in a nanosecond or what have you. If that’s the case then she wouldn’t pose a threat to those gathered around the conference table at about six feet’s distance. Still, one could argue setting an example is the part of the office’s job.
It’s not just Melania. In the video from the day, those gathered take their masks off one at a time to talk. It’s a little like taking your mask off to sneeze, no? Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez removed her mask on Thursday as well to speak eloquently on the House floor after some colleague calling her a “fucking bitch.” Ivanka did so too when speaking out in the wilderness at some point (both appeared to be fairly far away from their audience). Maybe the culture simply hasn’t figured out how to speak well and clearly with a mask on in public spaces. Maybe we should start trying yesterday.
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