Pence, U.S. Vice President, Mask Non-Wearing Controversy... "I Regularly Get Tested, So It's Okay"

On the 28th (local time), U.S. Vice President Mike Pence visited the Mayo Clinic located in Rochester, Minnesota. While all members of the delegation and medical staff wore masks, he was the only one not wearing a mask, causing controversy within the United States.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Mike Pence, the Vice President of the United States, has sparked controversy for not wearing a mask alone during his visit to a hospital site. Earlier, the hospital stated that wearing masks was necessary according to COVID-19 guidelines, but Vice President Pence reportedly explained that since he regularly undergoes COVID-19 testing, there was no need to wear one, which has led to growing criticism within the U.S.

According to foreign media such as CNN, on the 28th (local time), Vice President Pence visited the Mayo Clinic located in Rochester, Minnesota, as part of his hospital site visit. While all members of the visiting group and medical staff wore masks, Pence was criticized for not wearing a mask and conversing with staff alone. On that day, Pence attended a roundtable discussion and toured facilities supporting COVID-19 research.

When asked by reporters why he did not wear a mask, Vice President Pence responded, "As the Vice President of the United States, I regularly undergo COVID-19 testing. And everyone around me also undergoes COVID-19 testing." He added, "Since I am not infected with COVID-19, I thought this was a good opportunity to meet and talk with the researchers and these excellent healthcare workers here, look them in the eye, and express my gratitude." He mentioned that the CDC's mask-wearing guidelines are intended to prevent transmission from infected individuals but criticized the media that accused him for not mentioning that the CDC recommends face coverings for all Americans.

The Mayo Clinic had previously posted a notice on its website on the 13th of this month mandating mask-wearing for all patients and visitors entering the hospital. The notice also stated that the hospital would provide masks if visitors did not have one. The Mayo Clinic also posted on Twitter that they had informed Vice President Pence's team about the mask policy prior to his visit but later deleted the tweet. According to The Washington Post (WP), the hospital did not respond to questions about why Vice President Pence was allowed to enter the hospital without wearing a mask and why the tweet was deleted.

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