Vice President Mike Pence is facing a new round of criticism after he travelled to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota on Tuesday to learn about the research of treatments for the coronavirus.
However, he was quickly criticized after pictures showed he did not wear a face mask during his visit.
VP Pence at Mayo Clinic Minnesota … pic.twitter.com/wahnuFLc82
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) April 28, 2020
Check out some of the reactions below:
In Pence’s visit to the Mayo Clinic, he was trying to show us how “tough” he is—but just showed his arrogance, lack of concern for others, and vanity. pic.twitter.com/ZsCi70p6Pb
— Tulsi Gabbard ? (@TulsiGabbard) April 28, 2020
When you don't wear a mask, especially inside the Mayo Clinic, you are not being brave. You are showing that you think the rules don't apply to you. And you are setting a dangerous example by ignoring experts.
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) April 28, 2020
Obviously it is grossly irresponsible for Mike Pence to make this appearance without a mask, but the Mayo Clinic could also take a stand and say “hey, this is our protocol, and even you, the Vice President, needs to abide by it.”
— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) April 28, 2020
Dear @VP Mike Pence: The mask is not to protect you, it’s to protect the patients at the Mayo Clinic. You had no right to violate hospital policy and put others at risk. https://t.co/HFyml3V66A
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 28, 2020
Monster. And shame on Mayo Clinic
— Jennifer 'pro-voting' Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) April 28, 2020
On April 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance that recommends Americans wear face coverings when they go out in public. And on April 13, the Mayo Clinic released its own guidance that requires patients and visitors to wear masks.
The Mayo Clinic tweeted, the deleted the tweet and released an email statement, that said it had notified Pence of its mask guidance, “Mayo shared the masking policy with the VP’s office.”
Speaking to reporters, Pence said, “As Vice President of the United States I’m tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus.”
He added, “And since I don’t have the coronavirus, I thought it’d be a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers these incredible healthcare personnel and look them in the eye and say thank you.”
Pence comment on why he didn't wear a mask at the Mayo Clinic per their policy, per pool: pic.twitter.com/JarWBgCgL2
— Kathryn Watson (@kathrynw5) April 28, 2020
Pence is not the only administration official to resist wearing a mask in public. After the CDC’s guidance was released, President Donald Trump said he would most likely not wear a mask.
“I just don’t want to be doing, somehow sitting in the Oval Office behind that beautiful resolute desk, the great resolute desk,” Trump said, adding, “I think wearing a face mask as I greet presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens, I don’t know somehow I don’t see it for myself.”
According to Axios, Pence has not worn a mask in public since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak.
