United States President, Donald Trump, has worn a mask in public for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
The President was visiting the Walter Reed Military Hospital outside Washington, where he met wounded soldiers and health care workers.
He said he has never been against masks but believes they have a time and a place.
President Trump had previously said that he would not wear a mask and mocked Democratic rival, Joe Biden, for doing so.
But on Saturday he said: “I think when you’re in a hospital, especially in that particular setting, where you’re talking to a lot of soldiers and people that, in some cases, just got off the operating tables, I think it’s a great thing to wear a mask.”
The change of tone came as the US recorded 66,528 Coronavirus cases on Saturday, a new daily record.
Speaking to Newsmen last week, Trump said: “I’m all for masks.”
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He added that he “sort of liked” how he looked with one on, likening himself to the Lone Ranger, a fictional masked hero who with his Native American friend, Tonto, fought outlaws in the American Old West.
But when the US Center for Disease Control, CDC, in April, began recommending people to wear masks or cloth coverings in public to help stop the spread of the virus, Trump told reporters he would not follow the practice.
Some media reports have suggested aides have repeatedly asked the President to wear one in public.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
