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Politics Clashes with Science Over Whether to Wear a Mask in COVID-19 Era

Steve Baragona

   While the politics have changed, the public health advice remains the
   same: Wear a mask in public.

   Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden wore a face mask at
   Memorial Day observances Monday, as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19,
   the disease caused by the coronavirus, neared 100,000.

   President Donald Trump did not. Nor did he wear one during visits this
   month to a Ford Motor Company factory making ventilators, or a
   Honeywell factory making masks.

   Biden called him an "absolute fool" for not doing so. "He's supposed to
   lead by example," he said.

   Trump says he does not need to because he is tested every day and keeps
   his distance from others. Masks are required for the rest of the White
   House staff.

   The difference between Trump and Biden highlights a wider political
   divide.

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