The President As A Model For The Nation: From Toasters And Sweaters To Masks
Masks were in evidence when senators returned to work, and the Supreme Court heard oral arguments remotely. But face wear appears out of fashion at the White House, at least for public events.
Presidents have been asked all manner of questions about their behavior, but no one had ever asked whether the president should wear a mask. Until now.
In the midst of this hydra-headed medical-economic-social crisis, the Trump administration's guidelines recommend Americans wear a face covering in public spaces to slow the spread of the coronavirus. That makes it controversial when President Trump and Vice President Pence are out and about unmasked.
The point of the mask is mainly to protect others. The point of having the nation's leaders wear them is to encourage the nation to do the same.
So what if they don't? Are they then
