Doctor Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, called on state and local leaders to take strong action on face masks, declaring their widespread use as one of the most important steps needed to safely reopen the country.
“I would urge the leaders — the local political and other leaders — in states and cities and towns to be as forceful as possible in getting your citizenry to wear masks,” Fauci, a member of the White House coronavirus task force, said during a live-streamed event hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Friday, according to The Hill.
“Practically, when you’re living your life and trying to open up a country, you are going to come into contact with people, and for that reason we know that masks are really important and we should be using them, everyone,” added Fauci.
While mounting evidence that shows face coverings can slow the spread of COVID-19, some red states are refusing to order statewide mask mandates.
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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has rejected calls to issue a statewide requirement and even issued an executive order blocking localities from implementing their own rules. On Thursday, he sued Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D), arguing her city’s mask measure violates his executive order.
Iowa and Nebraska are the only other two states that don’t have statewide mask rules and also block localities from issuing their own requirements.
Trump is not taking responsibility for the mask mandate and will leave the issue to state and local governments to decide instead of issuing a federal mandate.
“We leave it to localities to make the decisions with regard to face coverings, and the CDC guidelines remain the same today: recommended, but not required,” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Thursday, referring to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
