White House Asks Taiwan for Support After Saying Not to Wear Masks

Report on White House Staff Mask Procurement Before Nationwide Mask Usage Recommendation
New York Governor Issues Executive Order Mandating Mask Usage

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Reports have emerged that the U.S. White House, recognizing the severe shortage of masks caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), requested assistance from the Taiwanese government to secure masks for its own use.

The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 15th (local time) that the White House National Security Council (NSC) recognized in mid-March that there was a shortage of masks to protect White House staff from COVID-19 and took measures to respond. This means preparations were made to prevent the worst-case scenario of the White House, the core of U.S. power, ceasing operations due to the spread of the epidemic.

WP, citing sources, reported that subsequently, hundreds of thousands of surgical masks were delivered from Taiwan as donations, most of which were stored as strategic materials, but 3,600 masks were separately stored for use by White House staff and officials.

Regarding this, one source said, "The U.S. government did not include mask supply for White House staff when preparing its COVID-19 response plan." Although the U.S. government responded belatedly, masks had already disappeared from the market.

WP criticized this measure as the U.S. government advising the public that masks were unnecessary while taking different actions behind the scenes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) only recommended mask use to the public earlier this month after confirming infections from asymptomatic carriers. President Trump also recommended mask use at a press conference on the 3rd but mentioned that he himself would not wear one.

Since then, American citizens have faced difficulties having to self-supply masks amid the shortage. On this day, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order requiring residents to wear masks in public places.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.