Citing 'irrational fears' of killer pandemic, Republicans fight face masks in Congress

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

WASHINGTON — A bitter dispute erupted in a congressional hearing room on Friday, with Republicans refusing to wear face coverings and Democrats insisting that they do so.

“Why is this so complicated?” a frustrated Rep. Jamie Rasking, D-Md., said at one point in response to Republican intransigence, speaking through what appeared to be an N95 respirator. “There’s one thing we can do to try to protect other people when we’re together, which is put on a mask. It doesn’t cost us anything; Why would we not do that? Why is it some kind of macho thing, like, ‘If I don’t wear a mask, I’m tough?’”

Republicans did not appear to be moved by his appeals, or those of other Democrats. The charge against mask-wearing was led by Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., a physician who was also a major in the U.S. Army. Green said that he could “cite many other professionals” who advised against protective face coverings.

Green did not proceed to cite any such professionals.

Surgical masks and respirators can keep particles of the coronavirus from spreading, but President Trump and many of his allies in the Republican Party have cast the coverings as a symbol of liberal overreaction and onerous statism. Virtually every public health agency in the nation, including most prominently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends the wearing of face masks in public.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/citing-irrational-fears-of-killer-pandemic-republicans-fight-face-masks-in-congress/ar-BB1611Fm?li=BBnb7Kz

Let them catch COVID-19 if they want to be such dumbasses. The problem is they may spread to others who aren't quite as selfish.

[lpbk2713]

1. Wouldn't it at least be good sense to err on the side of caution?

But who ever accused a rethuglican of using good sense?

[qazplm135]

2. A Major huh?

Couldn't get promoted to LTC I see.

[PufPuf23]

3. The GOP wants people to die. nt

[bdamomma]

6. They do

call them the death cult, ask them if they will sign a waiver to forfeit their ER visit to someone else who has tested positive.

[Ms. Toad]

4. We can't afford to "Let them catch COVID 19"

There is no way to isolate them from us. So the line needs to be wear the mask, or don't participate in society.

[spanone]

5. Their fealty to don trump includes mimicking his ignorant 'fuck you' displays.

[Midnight Writer]

7. Godamn me, I read this thinking it was The Onion or something. These people are loony.

The best thing for their political fortunes is to control the epidemic, and the cheapest and easiest way to do that is widespread mask wearing.

They are screwing themselves, to....I don't know. To make some kind of political point?

This is totally irrational, and this is not just a few kooks in the party acting out, this is now mainstream GOP philosophy.

[Docreed2003]

8. I'd love Dr Green to point to any health professional that feels that way

That ISNT a Trump toady.

Green is a typical GOP prick, "well I feel this way so that makes it right"

[Laelth]

9. Hold them in contempt of Congress and throw them in jail.

It can not be OK to defy House rules like that—especially when the rule is a simple, public safety measure. Lock them up. Teach them to respect the institution, at the very least.

-Laelth

[smirkymonkey]

10. They don't want to wear the mask because it protects OTHER PEOPLE.

And they don't care about other people. As long as the Dems are wearing theirs, they aren't worried. However what they fail to realize is that they can catch it from each other. And I really hope they do. Many of them are older and not in the best of health.

Drain the swamp!

[Frustratedlady]

11. As someone recently said, "If you don't like wearing masks, you'll really hate ventilators."

They act like little children on steroids. They should be ashamed of themselves.

[NightWatcher]

12. It's not an "irrational fear" if it's an actual killer pandemic. Bodies are piling up, wear a mask.

[lostnfound]

13. Why. Why. Why.

Reduce social security outlays?
Population control?

What the hell is desirable about encouraging people to get themselves infected?

I know some of them are stupid, but usually, there are some that are corrupt more than stupid.

[Lars39]

14. Fuck Rep Green

When I think of all the good people he's condemning to die...

[ChoppinBroccoli]

15. Every Person Who Thinks It's A Hoax Should Volunteer To Work In A Hospital Or Nursing Home

Give the workers there a much-needed break. It's all just a big hoax, right? So you have nothing to worry about. You don't even need a mask or safety gear or any of that nonsense.

I have a friend who, despite being a fairly intelligent person, succumbed to the Trump cult and now informs me that he thinks it's all just a big hoax (he even refers to it as "the corona hoax&quot , that the media is intentionally trying to crash the economy a second time, and he proudly declared that he HAS never and WILL never wear mask. It's extremely disappointing to hear these wild conspiracy theories being angrily spouted by a person I once had respect for and considered a wise and reasoned thinker. Now I don't know if I can even remain friends with him. He may be too far gone.

Anyway, what I would do is I would invite a bunch of folks who have tested positive for the Coronavirus, and I'd invite them to the next Congressional hearing and ask all the "hoaxers" to come up and give them a big hug in front of all the TV cameras, just to PROVE once and for all that there's nothing to this whole "Corona Hoax." How many do you think would actually go through with it? Even with a gaggle of TV cameras present?