U.S. Officials Clash Over Greenland Proposal as Tensions With Europe Rise 
Pentagon Prepares Alaska Troops for Possible Minnesota Deployment Amid Immigration Protests 
South Korea Seeks Favorable U.S. Tariff Terms on Memory Chip Imports 
Vietnam Communist Party Congress to Shape Leadership and Economic Strategy 
Kazakh President Tokayev Accepts Invitation to Join Trump-Proposed “Board of Peace” 
Trump Administration Held Secret Talks With Venezuela’s Diosdado Cabello Ahead of Maduro Ouster 
Pedro Sánchez Warns U.S. Greenland Move Could Undermine NATO and Benefit Russia 
Pentagon Prepares Troops for Possible Minnesota Deployment Amid Deportation Protests 
Trump Administration Appeals Judge’s Order Limiting ICE Tactics in Minneapolis 
Trump Threatens 200% Tariff on French Wine Over Macron’s Refusal to Join Peace Board 
JD Vance to Lead U.S. Presidential Delegation at Milano Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony 
Guatemala Declares State of Siege After Deadly Gang Violence and Prison Hostage Crisis 
Syrian Government Consolidates Control as Kurdish Forces Withdraw from Key Regions 
Starmer Criticizes Tariffs on NATO Allies in Call With Trump 
U.S. Military Kills Al Qaeda-Linked Leader Connected to Deadly ISIS Attack in Syria 
Iran Warns of Harsh Response to Possible U.S. Strike Amid Deadly Nationwide Protests 
EU Ambassadors Hold Emergency Talks as Trump Threatens Tariffs Over Greenland Dispute 
As the United States prepared for an extended lockdown and social distancing period, the health experts advise wearing a protective face covering when going out to public places such as groceries, supermarkets, and other essential businesses. First Lady Melania Trump recently emphasized the importance of wearing a face mask in public places.
CNN reports that the First Lady retweeted some advice from the Centers for Disease Control, advising Americans to wear cloth face masks and keeping a distance of six feet from anyone in public places. Frequent hand-washing is also strongly advised so as to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Melania quote-tweeted and added, “I ask that everyone take social distancing & wearing a face mask/face covering seriously. #COVID19 is a virus that can spread to anyone.”
Melania reiterated her previous tweet the previous week, asking the public to listen to the advice of the health experts by following the social distancing guidelines. The First Lady has often reiterated the importance of safety throughout this time, even suggesting possible ways for Americans to cope with the self-isolation period that was extended until the 30th of April. Melania has also filmed public service announcements regarding the pandemic. It bears noting that wearing face masks is strongly encouraged for those who are asymptomatic.
However, while Melania strongly encourages Americans to wear a face mask when in public places, her husband President Donald Trump views this measure as more of an optional matter. The Daily Mail reports that during a coronavirus task force briefing, Trump was asked regarding the First Lady’s tweets regarding face masks. Trump revealed his reluctance to do so despite the advice of the CDC.
“I would wear one. I just generally - would you like me to wear one right now?” joked Trump. “That would be a little awkward I guess. But again, I would wear one if I thought it was important. She likes the idea of wearing it, she does. A lot of people do. Again, it’s a recommendation and I understand that recommendation and I’m okay with it.”
When asked if his coronavirus task force officials should also wear face masks during briefings to set an example for Americans to follow, Trump said that they can if they want to and that he encourages it. “I would absolutely have no problem with that,” said the President.
