The White House's West Wing staff has been ordered through a policy issued Monday to wear face masks at all times while working there, after two people close to both President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
ABC News reported that the policy was distributed to West Wing staff Monday afternoon after the staffers, Pence's press secretary Katie Miller, and a valet to Trump tested positive. Miller is married to top White House adviser Stephen Miller.
Over the weekend, Trump economic adviser Kevin Hassett commented on CBS News that even though he has a mask and has been practicing social distancing, "it is scary to go into work."
The move comes as administration critics are calling for more widespread testing, contact tracing, and protective equipment to be made as people return to their jobs.
Trump has so far seemed to eschew masks. He has said he and Pence are tested for coronavirus every day.
The West Wing's workers have been told they can only remove their masks while they are at their desks, as long as they remain socially distanced, according to an email sent to them, reports ABC. They have also been discouraged from bringing in guests.
The memo, however, did not say if the president will wear a mask, and Pence came to work on Monday without one.
Meanwhile, several task force witnesses are scheduled to testify before the Senate Health Committee Tuesday, including Drs. Anthony Fauci, CDC Director Robert Redfield, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn and coronavirus testing coordinator Adm. Brett Giroir. They are to appear by teleconference, not in person, as Hahn, Fauci, and Redfield are in quarantine after coming into contact with one of the infected White House staffers.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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