Trump on Coronavirus Outbreak: It Will Get Worse Before It Gets Better, Wear a Mask

By Mary Anne R. Jul 22 2020, 05:37 AM EDT

Trump White House briefing on coronavirus pandemic — (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Americans to wear a mask as he claimed that the coronavirus pandemic in the country may "get worse before it gets better."

Trump said wearing masks will help contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that's been rapidly spreading in the country.

In a news briefing at the White House, the president asked everyone to wear a mask, especially "when you are not able to socially distance."

"Whether you like the mask or not, they have an impact, they have an effect, and we need everything we can get," Trump was quoted in a CNBC report.

Health officials have been recommending masks and face coverings in indoor and crowded environments. Masks are a low-cost and effective tool in reducing the spread of the coronavirus.

Trump said he sees it as something that can potentially help.

"I have no problem. I carry it. I wear it. You saw me wearing it a number of times and I'll continue," Trump was quoted in a report.

The president had different views on wearing a mask. In a Fox News interview that aired on Sunday, he said he does not agree with the statement that if everybody wears a mask, everything disappears.

Trump has repeatedly said that health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), did not originally recommend the use of masks to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

On Tuesday, Trump said experts have now changed their minds about wearing masks. He noted that if they have changed their mind, that's good enough for him.

The President has endorsed to use a mask, but he has still refused to issue a national mask mandate.

Many state officials have implemented mask mandates on their respective states. But some have still declined to do so.

Trump is now asking Americans to use masks and to practice social distancing and good hygiene.

He is also urging everyone to avoid packed bars and other crowded gatherings. He said it's better to "be safe and be smart."

Worse Before It Gets Better

In the same news briefing on Tuesday, Trump also said the coronavirus pandemic in the United States will probably get worse before it gets better.

"That's something I don't like saying about things, but that's the way it is, it's what we have. You look over the world, it's all over the world," Trump was quoted in a report.

Coronavirus cases continue to spread across the nation. Around 3.8 million Americans have been infected with the virus and the number of deaths spiked to 141,118 as of Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University's data.

White House once mentioned a coronavirus model that projected around 220,000 Americans could die of the coronavirus by November 1.

Trump said state leaders are working hard to contain the coronavirus.