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Since Some Republicans Still Refuse to Wear Masks in Congress, Now Nancy Pelosi Is Requiring It
By ELLIOT HANNON
JUNE 17, 20206:25 AM
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) does not wear a face mask while her fellow committee members do during a hearing on Capitol Hill May 28, 2020.
CHIP SOMODEVILLA/Getty Images
Wearing a mask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is an act of citizenship. It is also, of course, an act of self-preservation, but because mask-wearing appears more effective at preventing transmission of the virus than catching it yourself, wearing a face covering amounts to small self-sacrifice in service of the greater good of communities, states, and, in aggregate, the country. Dr. Anthony Fauci articulated why he wears a mask this way. I wear it for the reason that I believe it is effective, he said. It is not 100% effectiveI mean, its sort of respect for the other person and have that other person respect you. You wear a mask. They wear a mask. You protect each other. Many Americans, however, particularly those on the God-fearing, freedom-idolizing political right, refuse to wear masks, including the president of the United States. President Donald Trumps signaling been clear: Hes not only refused to wear a mask, hes mocked those who do. Others in Congress have followed the presidents lead, refusing to wear a mask in the cramped corridors of the Capitol. The GOPs no-mask caucus is an outlier even in its own party, but as virus rates continue to climb in portions of the country, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a move Tuesday to require House members to don a mask in committee hearings.
Pelosi is tightening restrictions on mask-wearing that had until this point been strongly recommended and largely adhered to by the vast majority of House members, other than the Trumpy no-mask holdouts, like Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Reps. Louie Gohmert (R-Tex.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), and Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins, among others that either stridently refuse or only occasionally wear masks in the chamber. The rationales used are diverse and generally nonsense. Can you smell through that mask? Rep. Higgins asked a CNN reporter during an interview at the Capitol. Then youre not stopping any sort of a virus. Its part of the dehumanization of the children of God. Youre participating in it by wearing a mask. Florida Republican Rep. Ted Yoho told CNN theres just no need to wear a mask because the only way youre going to get herd immunity is to get exposed. These are obviously bogus lines of thinking and lead to situations like that of South Carolina Republican Tom Rice, who announced this week he and his son had tested positive for the virus after being asked just two-and-a-half weeks ago why he didnt wear a mask around the Capitol.
New guidelines issued Tuesday by the attending physician of Congress, Brian Monahan, now require a mask for anyone meeting in a limited enclosed space, such as a committee hearing room, for greater than 15 minutes. Pelosi, in turn, directed committee chairs to require masks at committee meetings starting Wednesday and authorized the sergeant at arms to enforce the rule by barring entry to those refusing to cover their face. Members that refuse to wear a mask will also be given the option of participating in hearings remotely. Under the new guidance, members are still encouraged, but not required to wear masks on the House floor and in most other areas of the Capitol building.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/06/pelosi-enforce-new-maks-rule-congress-republicans-committee-hearings.html
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Since Some Republicans Still Refuse to Wear Masks in Congress, Now Nancy Pelosi Is Requiring It (Original Post)
Judi Lynn
Jun 2020
OP
With Pelosi setting the mask wearing requirement, hope more politicians follow suit
KS Toronado
Jun 2020
#1
RepubliCONs: If all lives matter, prove it by wearing a mask. . . . nt
Bernardo de La Paz
Jun 2020
#2
They wear their self-righteous defiance like a badge. Don't want to help? Drop dead.
Evolve Dammit
Jun 2020
#3
KS Toronado
(17,199 posts)1. With Pelosi setting the mask wearing requirement, hope more politicians follow suit
about how important wearing masks can be in slowing the virus spread.
Instead of follow the Hair Furer "masks ruin my pretty face" shit
Bernardo de La Paz
(48,994 posts)2. RepubliCONs: If all lives matter, prove it by wearing a mask. . . . nt
FailureToCommunicate
(14,012 posts)4. GOOD ONE!
Evolve Dammit
(16,723 posts)3. They wear their self-righteous defiance like a badge. Don't want to help? Drop dead.
AllaN01Bear
(18,159 posts)5. and the one @ the podium his mask violates the flag act.
louzke9
(296 posts)7. So do thousands of
products sold on the market. Saw jeans sold on line that have flag pockets plastered across the ass! The flag mask is a statement. The Congressman is Patriotic and respects the health safety of the American citizens!
Ilsa
(61,694 posts)6. I wouldn't mind seeing Ms Foxx staying in NC or in a hospital in NC. nt
meow2u3
(24,761 posts)8. Notice the who's who of the no mask holdouts
The same guys who belong to the Treason Caucus: oppositional, defiant, ignorant, and arrogant far right Trumpist repunks.
machoneman
(4,006 posts)9. Love it! Watch for major R-scum fireworks! Lock them up, I say!