Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is urging Americans to wear masks to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
During an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street,” the Kentucky lawmaker discussed the pandemic and what is needed to not only improve public health but also the economy.
McConnell insists he has “been promoting mask-wearing” since May. Now, he is urging the entire country to do so.
“I’ve been promoting mask-wearing, we’ve been doing it in the Senate since the first of May when we resumed in-person sessions. It’s the single most significant thing everybody in the country can do to help prevent the spread,” McConnell said on Thursday.
He added, “Wear a mask, practice social distancing.”
McConnell’s latest remarks follow his previous statements in support of masks. He made it clear that mask-wearing will be vital until a vaccine is developed.
“The one thing that each of us can do all across America to help protect ourselves and others is to wear a mask and practice social distancing,” McConnell said. “It’s not going to go away until we have a vaccine.”
See McConnell’s remarks below:
This terrible virus is still with us and America’s fight continues. Across the country, by taking commonsense steps – like wearing a mask and practicing social distancing – we’ll get through this together. pic.twitter.com/0BRIa8bw13
— U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (@SenMcConnell) July 26, 2020
Several states have seen an uptick in coronavirus cases. In fact, the case surges have been so alarming, state and local officials in more than 30 states have enforced mask mandates in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.
However, enforcing mandates has proven to be challenging due to the politicization of masks.
But as cases continue to increase across the country, the president also opted to shift his rhetoric as he urged Americans to wear masks. Trump even noted that the pandemic would get “worse before it gets better.”
