Trump, Will He Wear a Mask This Time... 'Mandatory Wearing' Ford Says "The White House Decides"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Ford Motor Company in the United States stated that the decision on whether President Donald Trump will wear a mask during his visit to the Michigan plant this week will be made by the White House. Ford has mandated mask-wearing for all outsiders to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but it stepped back to allow President Trump, who has continued a 'no mask' approach, to make the decision himself.

According to Bloomberg News on the 19th (local time), Rachel McCleary, a Ford spokesperson, told reporters that all safety protocols Ford follows have been communicated to the White House, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks. She said, "Our policy is that everyone wears PPE to prevent the spread of COVID-19," but added, "The White House has its own safety and testing policies, so it will make its own decisions."

Bloomberg reported that Ford's Michigan plant, which produced ventilators in response to COVID-19, resumed automobile production last week. President Trump is scheduled to visit the plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on the 21st. If President Trump wears a mask this time, it will be his first public appearance wearing one.

When asked about this during a cabinet meeting at the White House that afternoon, President Trump responded, "I don't know," refusing to give a definitive answer. He said, "I haven't even thought about it," and added, "It depends on the situation." He continued, "In some areas, I will wear it, and in others, I won't. But I will certainly look into it." He further explained, "It depends on whether I am standing right next to other people or standing apart," and said, "Let's see. In the appropriate places, I will definitely do so."

President Trump has never worn a mask in public appearances. During his first field visit amid the COVID-19 situation on the 5th, he appeared without a mask at the Honeywell plant, a mask production facility in Phoenix, Arizona, and also appeared without a mask during his visit to Owens & Minor, a medical device distributor in Pennsylvania, on the 14th.

On the 11th, the White House issued a late mandate requiring mask-wearing considering COVID-19 cases, but President Trump did not wear a mask at various White House events.

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