Melania Trump blasted for not wearing mask during visit to children’s hospital

Melania Trump has drawn anger after visiting sick patients in a children’s hospital without wearing a mask, despite strict policies in place.

US First Lady Melania Trump has stirred controversy by reading a book to sick children in a hospital while not wearing a mask.

Ms Trump makes an annual visit to the Children’s National Hospital to read to the children and decided to continue the tradition this year despite record coronavirus cases in Washington, DC.

While she arrived at the hospital wearing a mask, she removed the mask after taking a seat in front of a Christmas tree.

Her move was in contravention of the hospital’s policy which states: “all staff, families/caregivers and visitors must wear a mask at all times while in any Children’s National facility to prevent the spread of COVID-19”.

RELATED: Melania fuels rumours of Florida move after touring schools

First lady Melania Trump reads a Christmas book titled, ‘Oliver the Ornament Meets Marley and Joan and Abbey’ at Children's National Hospital. Picture: Jacquelyn Martin / POOL / AFP

She was wearing a mask when she arrived at the hospital. She is pictured here with hospital patients Sofia Martinez, 8, (left) and Riley Whitney, 6. Picture: Jacquelyn Martin/AFP

Most of the children watched Ms Trump’s reading from a live stream but Riley Whitney, 6 and Sophia Martinez, 8, were seated on the floor in front of her as she read.

When asked for comment, a spokeswoman for the hospital Diana Troese cited statewide regulations — and not the hospital’s own policy — saying wearing a mask was not required when a person is giving a speech for broadcast or an audience, provided on one is within six feet of the speaker.

“In the case of today’s visit which was broadcast to our 325 patients, while the First Lady did remove her mask while she read a story, she was more than 12 feet away from others in our large atrium. All other people in that space were wearing masks. The remainder of her visit, she wore a mask,” Ms Troese told CNN.

Ms Trump fell sick with the coronavirus at the same time as her husband President Donald Trump in early October.

This means she may have some antibodies to the disease but experts are unsure of how long this offers protection and have still recommended people wear a mask.

RELATED: Melania cops backlash over tennis pavilion

Ms Trump did wear a mask later for a game of holiday bingo. Picture: Jacquelyn Martin/AFP

Ms Trump also kept her mask off as she was leaving the hospital, while Mariah Carey’s Christmas classic All I Want for Christmas is You played but later appeared wearing a mask while participating in a game of holiday bingo.

Ahead of her visit she tweeted some photos of previous events, saying: “ Every year I cherish my visit to @ChildrensNatl to read a holiday story to the children & meet with the dedicated & inspiring healthcare professionals. This will be my 4th holiday visit there & I look forward to spending time again with so many brave children & their families.”

While some commented on Ms Trump’s “lovely smile” and thanked her for everything she did, others criticised her for taking off her mask.

“So you’re reading to sick children during a pandemic without a mask? That is criminal,” one woman tweeted.

Where’s Your mask!??! You’re with kids!! 😤

— Melissa (@gomappy3) December 15, 2020

You were in a hospital, yet you refused to follow their policy of wearing a mask on the premises.

Does anything more than appearances matter to you?

— Earth Watcher (@blueplanetwatch) December 15, 2020

As a parent of young children, I appreciate what you're doing for children and their families, Melania. Good to see you use your position for the greater good.

— Jerry Lee Funk (@jedibassdriver) December 15, 2020