Fauci Says He Is ‘Not Totally Against’ Mask Mandates but Does Not Want to ‘Step on Anyone’s Toes’
Should states implement mandates to require residents to wear face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19? Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says he is “not…
Should states implement mandates to require residents to wear face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19?
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says he is “not against” the idea. However, he does not want to tell governors or mayors how to govern.
In an interview on MSNBC on Wednesday, Fauci said, “I’m not totally against mandating, but I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.”
He continued to suggest that mask mandates and efforts to enforce them would become “more of a distraction.”
“Some states and authorities feel that if you mandate, then you’re going to have to get into this situation of having to enforce it, and will that create more of an issue, and more of a distraction than just being very explicit in very, very strongly recommending.”
“Hopefully, you get the cooperation of the citizens in your community, to realize why that’s important not only to protect themselves, but also to protect those around them,” he added.
President Donald Trump has said that he is “all for masks” and that he thinks masks are “good.” And on July 20, he