Trump ignores compulsory face mask sign on factory tour
US President Donald Trump has toured an Arizona factory producing millions of face masks without wearing one himself.
Donald Trump has toured an Arizona N95 mask manufacturing factory – sans mask – to the soundtrack of the Paul McCartney-penned, Guns ‘N Roses-performed Live and Let Die.
Despite telling reporters he would wear a mask if it were “a mask environment” and being surrounded by them, the US President ignored signs around the factory saying face masks were “required”, instead wearing only a pair of safety goggles.
Nearly all factory workers and members of the press, as well as some White House staff and Secret Service agents wore masks, while Mr Trump, senior White House staff and Honeywell executives chose to go without.
A White House official later told NBC News Honeywell had given the President and other visitors permission not to put on the protective gear.
This isn’t the first time Mr Trump has been seen without a mask, having consistently refused to wear one while interacting with others – despite federal guidance urging all Americans to do so.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended all Americans wear cloth masks when they can’t socially distance, especially in places with high transmission rates.
RELATED: Follow the latest coronavirus updates
RELATED: Trump’s grim daily death toll prediction
I can think of no better metaphor for this presidency than Donald Trump not wearing a face mask to a face mask factory while the song “Live and Let Die†blares in the background. pic.twitter.com/mJzU1HW7HA
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) May 5, 2020
NOW: @realDonaldTrump didn't wear a mask while touring the mask assembly line - and as noted - a reminder was there to WEAR a mask: pic.twitter.com/UVh2lRtch9
— Brian J. Karem (@BrianKarem) May 5, 2020
Mr Trump wasn’t wearing a mask when he disembarked Air Force One after it landed in Arizona, reporters said; and also chose not to put one on during a roundtable discussion about COVID-19 assistance to Native Americans, which took place before he toured the factory.
He was, however, presented with one of the masks, mounted on a plaque, during his visit to the plant, responsible for producing millions of the face masks under a Defence Department contract.
After the tour, the President addressed workers, lauding what he called the “incredible patriotic and hardworking men and women of Honeywell”.
“Moments ago we saw the brand-new production lines where you’re making high quality N95 respirators, they are made to perfection,” he said.
“There’s no bad masks, like various countries have been sending. Bad masks from other places. Nothing like that at Honeywell.”
RELATED: America is facing ‘nightmare scenario’
Nearby, a large video monitor listed safely guidelines, one of which said, “Please wear your mask at all times”.
Mr Trump said respirators were there to “protect our heroic doctors and nurses as they fight the unseen enemy”.
Vice President Mike Pence came under fire recently when photos showed him without a mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic, surrounded by hospital officials and doctors who all had one on.
Mr Pence said that he hadn’t known it was a requirement, and that he’s been frequently tested for the virus – choosing to wear one at an event a few days later.
With wires
Hollywood star’s grim admission rocks US
Oscar winner and screen icon Sally Field has shared an emotional video on social media about a “hideous and life-altering” experience she endured.
Teacher ‘traded 33K explicit texts’ with 11yo
A teacher accused of sexually assaulting her 11-year-old student allegedly sent him 33,000 racy texts — some so explicit that the she bowed her head in shame in court.
‘Scary’: Creeps trap woman in driverless taxi
A woman has filmed a ‘scary’ experience after two men stopped in front of her driverless taxi and demanded she give them her number.