Trump Now Recommends Wearing a Mask When Social Distancing is Not Possible

By Mary Anne R. First Posted: Oct 29, 2020 11:03 PM EDT

President Donald Trump seemed to have changed sides about mask-wearing during a rally on Thursday.

.Trump told a large public group that he thinks wearing a mask is appropriate when social distancing is not possible.

"We know the disease. We social distance. We do all of the things that you have to do," Trump told his audience in a campaign rally held in Tampa, Florida, as per a CNN report.

He told the rallygoers that if you get close, you should wear a mask. He noted that it is not that controversial for him, adding that wearing a mask should be done if you get close and practice social distancing.

The attendees of the rally, packed so tightly, were mostly not wearing masks. Many people have needed medical attention due to heat. A nearby truck had to cool supporters down. The staff was also not seen wearing any masks.

Earlier, Trump had doubted whether masks could really prevent the further spread of COVID-19. This is despite experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging people to wear one.

The White House Coronavirus Task Force members also released guidance on the use of masks.

Downplaying the Pandemic

Critics said that Trump has been downplaying the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to disregard health experts' opinions.

According to an ABC News report, Trump said he knew better from science. In a national debate setting, he lashed out at Democratic presidential bet Joe Biden for wearing one.

Trump said he does not wear masks like Biden, saying that he's got a mask every time he sees Biden.

"He could be speaking 200 feet away from it, and he shows up with the biggest mask I've seen," Trump said in a report.

On Apr. 3, CDC first recommended that the American public should wear a mask. Trump then announced that the practice was "voluntary" and "you do not have to do it."

Trump earlier also resisted wearing one, saying that he does not see himself wearing a mask.

Earlier in October, Trump tested positive for COVID-19 after top presidential aide Hope Hicks announced that she got the virus.

He was then flown to a hospital for treatment. He has been treated with remdesivir, which is an experimental drug cocktail injection and antiviral medication.

First Lady Melania Trump also contracted the viral disease. The White House then said that the president experienced mild symptoms, and he was taken into the hospital out of caution.

The White House added that Trump would need to stay in the hospital for the next few days. He remained in the presidential suite of Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital.

Donald Trump Jr. said his father was taking it very seriously. Trump's physician, Sean Conley, said the president did not need any supplemental oxygen.

Aside from remdesivir, the president also took zinc, vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin, and aspirin, according to a BBC News report. Meanwhile, the first lady was said to be well aside from a mild cough and a headache.