Cuomo: Trump should sign an executive order directing Americans to wear masks in public, and wear one himself
At a press conference Monday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that to slow the spread of coronavirus, President Trump should sign an executive order directing Americans to wear masks when in public. Cuomo then said Trump should lead by example and wear a mask himself.
Video Transcript
ANDREW CUOMO: And to the President, I say today, if you want to help stop COVID-19, then they should start telling the people of this country the truth. And this truth starts with how large a problem this is and how real a threat COVID is. It's the leadership to stand up and tell the American people, look at the increase across the country. Look at what's happening to this country vis-a-vis other countries. Look how it's hurt the economy. It is a real threat.
And to start simply, the president can do two things. First, sign an executive order directing everyone to wear a mask. How we're at this point as a nation and we still haven't done the simple, easy, minimal step of saying, you must wear a mask when you are in public? And the president doesn't have to pass a piece of legislation, doesn't have to call the Congress. Just sign an executive order saying, wear a mask.
We did it two months ago in this state. The other states are just starting to do it now, states that were recalcitrant, governors who said, we don't need to do this, masks don't work, all the political nonsense we heard. Now, they're doing a 180, and you have the same states now wearing masks. Let the president have the same sense and do that as an executive order.
And then let the president lead by example and let the president put a mask on it because we know it works. We've proven that it works in the state of New York. And the president can still be New York tough and New York smart and united and disciplined and loving.
