Trump supporters say masks are harmful, would wear if Trump said so
Some Trump supporters believe it's the masks that sicken people rather than COVID-19
Some of the most ardent and faithful of President Donald Trump supporters believe that masks are “harmful” but would set aside that view and wear one if he said so.
Trump returned to the campaign trail on Monday more than two weeks after he was diagnosed with COVID-19. He drew a large gathering at Orlando Sanford International airport after disembarking from Air Force One. The overwhelming number of those who greeted the president were not wearing masks.
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CNN‘s Gary Tuchman spoke to some of them about their decision not to wear protective face coverings.
“No, I’m healthy. I have no underlying health issues and that seems to be the people who are most prone to getting the disease,” a woman attending the really said.
Others offered the theory that wearing masks actually posed a greater risk than the easily transmittable disease.
“A mask can actually do more harm to individuals,” a man claimed. “They can faint because there’s too much carbon dioxide going back into their system.”
He added that many people were becoming sick.
“Enough people are getting ill from it,” the man continued and cited “common sense.”
Tuchman asked another woman what would happen if she were to contract the coronavirus.
“I don’t care if I do because I know I’m not going to die from it,” the woman maintained but then added, “if I do, I do.”
Another Trump supporter believed that a higher power would guide her fate and health.
“I believe in God and if I get the virus, then that was God’s will,” the woman said.
But one voter told Tuchman that she’d wear a mask if the request came from Trump.
“I would put it on,” woman replied.
Trump did not wear a mask himself as he addressed the adoring crowd and spoke of how “powerful” he felt.
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“They say I’m immune. I feel so powerful,” Trump said to the crowd in Orlando. “I’ll walk into that audience, I’ll walk in there, kiss everyone in that audience. I’ll kiss the guys and the beautiful women.”
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