Donald Trump seen wearing face mask in public for first time as US coronavirus cases soar
- The US president wore a mask on a visit to Walter Reed military hospital near Washington
- Nearly 135,000 people have died in the United States after contracting Covid-19
US President Donald Trump appeared in public wearing a face mask Saturday, after long resisting, as the country broke its own record for new coronavirus cases in a single day, with more than 66,600 fresh infections documented in 24 hours.
The US has broken its own record in three out of the last four days, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, with the Friday total coming in above 66,600.
Trump donned the mask, with an official presidential seal, as part of a photo-op as he visited wounded soldiers at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre. It’s the first major such appearance, amid reluctance on the president’s part to be seen in public with a face covering.
Masks are recommended by public health officials in situations where people are close together to help stem the spread of the new coronavirus during this pandemic.
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Donald Trump seen wearing a face mask in public for the first time as Covid-19 ravages US
“I’ve never been against masks, but I do believe they have a time and a place,” Trump said before he left the White House for the visit. He has at times appeared to mock people who wore masks.