Donald Trump tweets anti-mask claims minutes after Mike Pence gets the vaccine

President Donald Trump retweeted a post questioning ‘experts’ who promote masks to stop the coronavirus – just minutes after Vice President Mike Pence got vaccinated on live television and urged Americans to take precautions. 

Trump’s retweet came at 8:50 am – and followed Pence, second lady Karen Pence, and Surgeon General Jerome Adams all getting vaccinated on TV and urged Americans to take precautions to try to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The president retweeted conservative commentator and podcaster Buck Sexton, who had written a post blasting scientific experts and questioned the efficacy of mask mandates.

President Donald Trump retweeted a post questioning mask mandates and usage just minutes after Vice President Mike Pence got his coronavirus vaccine and promoted masks

Officials such as Centers for Disease Control Robert Redfield have said masks can do more to stop the spread of the virus devastating the nation than even the vaccine. 

‘Again, I ask the “experts” this question in earnest: what would this graph of covid cases look like *without* mask mandates?’ wrote Sexton, who posted a graph. ‘“Masks work” is the mantra. Not allowed to say anything else on Twitter (seriously, it’s not allowed)- But how well do mandates work?’ he wrote.

Sexton posted a graph that showed a steep spike in cases in Denmark, which showed an acceleration of infections even after the mask mandate – although myriad factors can contribute to such a spike, including spread within a community after the virus has already taken hold or failure to heed or properly follow mask guidance.  

Trump’s tweet undermined the public health message Pence delivered both with his vaccine gesture and with his words – although even in his remarks Pence used soft language to encourage mask usage.

Trump retweeted a conservative commentator who has questioned mask mandates

Vice President Mike Pence receives the COVID-19 vaccine in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC, December 18, 2020. He vouched for the safety of the vaccine and urged Americans to wear masks when ‘indicated’

Surgeon General Jerome Adams receives the COVID-19 vaccine in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC, December 18, 2020

Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci speaks after US Vice President Mike Pence received the COVID-19 vaccine in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC, December 18, 2020

U.S. coronavirus deaths remain on an upward trajectory

He called for Americans to practice ‘good hygiene’ and urged them to ‘practice social distancing and wear a mask whenever it’s indicated or whenever you’re unable to practice distance.’

President-elect Joe Biden has said he would urge all Americans to wear masks in a 100-day blitz seeking to slow the spread of the virus.

Pence’s shot was part of a PR effort that also included remarks by Dr. Anthony Fauci and remarks by the surgeon general, who tried to overcome any resistance among African Americans due to chapters in the nation’s history of unethical medical experimentation. 

More than 300,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 and it continues so spread through all 50 states. It is expected to take months to roll out the vaccine, with millions not getting their first jab until the spring.