House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed the idea of mandating the use of face masks across the country to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The California Democrat told ABC This Week on Sunday that there should “definitely” be a federal policy mandating face mask usage in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations on facial coverings.
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“It’s definitely long overdue for that. My understanding that the Centers for Disease Control has recommended the use of masks but not demanded or required it because they don’t want to offend the president,” Pelosi said. “The president should be an example. You know, real men wear masks. Be an example to the country and wear the mask. Not only to — it’s not about protecting yourself. It’s about protecting others and their families.”
The CDC’s guidance on face masks has changed over the course of the pandemic. In the beginning, the agency advised against face masks because of the nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment. It has since recommended the use of face masks outside of the home when 6 feet of social distance cannot be maintained.
Several states, including California, have mandated the use of masks or face coverings in public. It is unclear if the federal government has the authority to mandate the use of face masks or if that is the power of each state to decide.
