Melania Trump contradicts Donald Trump’s views on wearing face masks amid COVID-19 crisis, says to ‘seriously’ consider CDC recommendation

First Lady Melania Trump has encouraged Americans to take the experts’ advice on wearing face masks seriously amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a different tone compared to what her husband, President Donald Trump, has said about the public health recommendation.

Melania Trump encourages Americans to follow CDC recommendation on wearing face masks

The wearing of face masks is one of the latest recommendations published by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to slow down the spread of novel coronavirus. The agency suggests that people wear masks or home-made face coverings when going out in public, especially when going to the grocery store or pharmacy where social distancing might not be maintained at all times.

In a tweet over the weekend, Melania Trump echoed the CDC’s advice. “I ask that everyone take social distancing & wearing a mask/face covering seriously,” the First Lady wrote. She completed her online post with a link to CDC’s recommendation that will also lead people to instructions on how to make home-made cloth face coverings and how to wear them properly.

Donald Trump had also noted CDC’s advice in a press briefing last Friday. However, his stance on the wearing of masks in public is different from her wife. He emphasized that wearing masks or cloth face coverings is “voluntary” and commented, “I don’t think I’m going to be doing it.”

Wearing face masks in public was not given much emphasis in the early months of the COVID-19 crisis compared to reminders of frequent washing of the hands and social distancing. CDC now explains, “Recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (‘asymptomatic’) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (‘pre-symptomatic’) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.” As of April 6, the confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have reached 330,891 with 8,910 total deaths.

Melania Trump calls world leaders, wishes them well amid global pandemic

Melania Trump has been addressing the public to issue reminders to help slow down the spread of novel coronavirus. But in the previous week, the First Lady also shared that she has been reaching out to other world leaders to wish them well as they also fight COVID-19 in their respective countries.

Since last week, Melania Trump tweeted about her calls to Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia and to the French First Lady Brigitte Macron. Mrs. Trump reached out to Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has just recovered from COVID-19 in late March.