NC-SEN: Tillis criticized for suggesting Hispanics less likely to wear masks and social distance
Washington (CNN)Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina is facing intense criticism from some Democratic lawmakers over recent remarks in which he suggested Hispanics are less likely to wear masks and social distance amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In an audio clip posted online by Democratic super PAC American Bridge, Tillis, who is up for reelection this year, said during a virtual town hall on Tuesday, "Just wear the mask out of respect. Now I will tell you I'm not a scientist and I'm not a statistician, but one of the concerns that we've had more recently is that the Hispanic population now constitutes about 44% of the positive cases, and we do have some concerns that in the Hispanic population we've seen less consistent adherence to social distancing and wearing a mask."
Democratic Rep. Veronica Escobar of Texas, a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, responded to his comments on Twitter by saying, "This racist BS needs to stop."
"Latinos & African Americans are most at risk, dying at higher rates — and STILL going to work every day b/c they are essential workers," she tweeted. "Meanwhile, Republican colleagues in Congress are the ones who refuse to use masks. @ThomTillis — cut the crap."
Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, also a member of the Hispanic Caucus, tweeted, "No.... we are the essential workers that were forced to go to work. We pulled the food, slaughtered the animals, packaged the food that fed America. They did it at barely minimum wage and went back homes to big families under one roof bc that is all they could afford."
close dialog.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/17/politics/thom-tillis-hispanics-masks-coronavirus/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_allpolitics+%28RSS%3A+CNN+-+Politics%29
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