Biden Urges Governors, Mayors To Reinstate Mask Mandates

President Joe Biden is calling on the nation’s governors and mayors to reinstate mask mandates if they previously revoked them.

“I’m reiterating my call for every governor, mayor, and local leader to maintain and reinstate the mask mandate. Please, this is not politics,” Biden said while delivering remarks Monday.

He added, “Reinstate the mandate if you let it down. Businesses should require masks as well.”

Watch his remarks below:

The president slammed state leaders earlier this month for lifting mask mandates, as IJR reported.

“I think it’s a big mistake. Look, I hope everybody’s realized by now these masks make a difference. We are on the cusp of fundamentally changing the nature of this disease because of the way in which we’re able to get vaccines in peoples’ arms,” Biden said.

He continued, “And the last thing, the last thing, we need is neanderthal thinking that ‘in the meantime everything’s fine, take off your mask, forget it.’ It still matters.”

Mask-wearing is not mandated in Texas, Arizona, Florida or Wyoming.

Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Rochelle Walensky, warned Americans of an “impending doom.”

“When I first started at CDC about two months ago I made a promise to you: I would tell you the truth even if it was not the news we wanted to hear. Now is one of those times when I have to share the truth, and I have to hope and trust you will listen,” she said during a press briefing.

Walensky added, “I’m going to pause here, I’m going to lose the script, and I’m going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom. We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are and so much reason for hope, but right now I’m scared.”

According to The New York Times, more than 30,318,400 Americans have been infected with COVID-19 as of Monday.