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Vice President Pence Faces Criticism For Visiting Mayo Clinic Without Mask

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3 years ago

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  • Vice President Mike Pence is facing backlash for not wearing a face mask during his visit to the Mayo Clinic Tuesday.
  • In a now-deleted tweet and a statement from a clinic spokesperson, the facility said it had previously advised him of its policy requiring that masks be worn to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. 
  • Pence later explained his decision, saying that he and those often around him are tested on a regular basis and since he doesn’t have the virus, he thought it would be a good opportunity to meet healthcare workers, “look them in the eye and say ‘thank you.”
  • Critics argue that he could still contract and spread the virus in between tests and say both Trump and Pence set poor examples for Americans by not wearing masks themselves.

Pence’s Visit 

Vice President Mike Pence toured the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota on Tuesday without wearing a face mask, violating the clinic’s policy aimed at helping slow the spread of COVID-19. 

During his visit, Pence participated in a discussion with top doctors at the facility, along with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, a Republican whose district includes the city of Rochester. Pence was also accompanied by federal Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn. 

But after images and clips of the visit were released, they showed that Pence appeared to be the only person present without a mask. In once highly viewed clip, the vice president is closely surrounded by at least 10 other people, all of whom are wearing face coverings. 

Mayo Clinic Alerted Pence’s Team of its Policy 

According to the Mayo clinic’s website, as of April 13, “Patients and visitors are asked to bring their own face covering or mask to wear. If a patient or visitor does not have a mask, Mayo Clinic will provide one.”

After being met with questions about Pence’s decision, the Mayo Clinic even sent out a tweet from its official Twitter account saying that it had informed him of its policy before his visit. However, that tweet was deleted about a half-hour after it was posted, according to CNBC. 

A Mayo spokesperson also reiterated the same message as that now-deleted tweet to CNBC, explaining that the clinic had “shared the masking policy with the VP’s office.” The spokesperson, however, did not respond to a question about why the tweet was removed.

Pence Explains His Decision 

Aside from violating the clinic’s rules, the vice president’s decision to not wear a mask also goes against the government’s own recommendation, which advises Americans to wear cloth face coverings in public to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

After touring and speaking with experts, Pence spoke at a news conference at the facility where he was asked why he did not wear a mask.

“As vice president of the United States, I’m tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus,” Pence said.

“When the [federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] issued guidelines about wearing a mask it was their recognition that people that may have the coronavirus could prevent the possibility of conveying the virus to someone else by wearing a mask,” he continued. 

“And since I don’t have the coronavirus I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to be here to be able to speak to these researchers– this incredible health-care personnel–and look them in the eye and say ‘thank you.’”

Another reporter later asked how frequently he is tested and whether he thought wearing a mask might send “a positive signal to the American public.” 

Pence did not directly answer the question about what signal wearing a mask could send, but he reiterated that he was tested “on a regular basis.”

“And I agree with the CDC guidance that wearing a mask doesn’t necessarily protect you from the coronavirus, but wearing a mask might prevent you from inadvertently conveying the virus to a loved one, family member or friend,” the vice president continued. 

“So we think they’re very useful in that respect, and we respect that altogether.”

Last week, White House aides told The New York Times why Pence doesn’t feel like he has to wear a mask in public, giving the same explanation Pence issued Tuesday. But the newspaper noted that Pence could contract the virus between his tests, and argued that tests are not always accurate.

Backlash

Many were frustrated with Pence after the visit, fearful of both the risk of spreading the virus and the message not wearing a mask sends.

Author Stephen King said it, “underlines a largely unspoken problem: the idea that REAL MEN DON’T WEAR FACEMASKS. Going barefaced isn’t macho; it’s stupid.”

CNN’s Don Lemon criticized Pence on air Tuesday night, saying “What about the fact that it is their policy?” 

“What about the fact that they offered one upon your arrival? What about the fact it’s possible for a coronavirus test to be inaccurate? And it’s possible for you to contract and spread the virus after you have tested negative.”

He specifically hit on Pence’s remark about looking hospital workers in the eye to thank them. “Come on, You see this mask, right?” he said while placing one over his own face. 

“Can you see my eyes?” he asked. “It’s not an eye mask we’re talking about. This is ridiculous.” 

Trump Shares Stance on Mask

Pence and President Donald Trump appear to both be on the same page about wearing masks. When Trump announced his administration’s guidance for face coverings on April 3, he admitted that he wouldn’t be wearing one.

“I just don’t want to wear one myself, it’s a recommendation,” Trump said at the time. “Somehow sitting in the Oval Office behind that beautiful Resolute Desk, the great Resolute Desk, I think wearing a face mask as I greet presidents, dictators, kings, queens, I don’t know, I don’t see it for myself.”

Trump and Pence’s position on masks for themselves stands in contrast with what local leaders and world leaders are doing. Looking globally, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,  French President Emmanuel Macron, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, and others have been photographed wearing masks in public.

See what others are saying: (CNBC) (Vox) (Fox News) 

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White Supremacist Propaganda Reached Record High in 2022, ADL Finds

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2 weeks ago

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March 9, 2023

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 “We cannot sit idly by as these extremists pollute our communities with their hateful trash,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said.

White supremacist propaganda in the U.S. reached record levels in 2022, according to a report published Wednesday by the Anti-Defamation League’s Center of Extremism.

The ADL found over 6,700 cases of white supremacist propaganda in 2022, which marks a 38% jump from the nearly 4,900 cases the group found in 2021. It also represents the highest number of incidents ever recorded by the ADL. 

The propaganda tallied by the anti-hate organization includes the distribution of racist, antisemitic, and homophobic flyers, banners, graffiti, and more. This propaganda has spread substantially since 2018, when the ADL found just over 1,200 incidents. 

“There’s no question that white supremacists and antisemites are trying to terrorize and harass Americans with their propaganda,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. “We cannot sit idly by as these extremists pollute our communities with their hateful trash.” 

The report found that there were at least 50 white supremacist groups behind the spread of propaganda in 2022, but 93% of it came from just three groups. One of those groups was also responsible for 43% of the white supremacist events that took place last year. 

White supremacist events saw a startling uptick of their own, with the ADL documenting at least 167, a 55% jump from 2021. 

Propaganda was found in every U.S. state except for Hawaii, and events were documented in 33 states, most heavily in Massachusetts, California, Ohio, and Florida.

“The sheer volume of white supremacist propaganda distributions we are documenting around the country is alarming and dangerous,” Oren Segal, Vice President of the ADL’s Center on Extremism said in a statement. “Hardly a day goes by without communities being targeted by these coordinated, hateful actions, which are designed to sow anxiety and create fear.”

“We need a whole-of-society approach to combat this activity, including elected officials, community leaders, and people of good faith coming together and condemning this activity forcefully,” Segal continued. 

See what others are saying: (Axios) (The Hill) (The New York Times)

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Adidas Financial Woes Continue, Company on Track for First Annual Loss in Decades

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2 weeks ago

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March 8, 2023

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Adidas has labeled 2023 a “transition year” for the company. 

Yeezy Surplus 

Adidas’ split with musician Kanye West has left the company with financial problems due to surplus Yeezy products, putting the sportswear giant in the position to potentially suffer its first annual loss in over 30 years. 

Adidas dropped West last year after he made a series of antisemitic remarks on social media and other broadcasts. His Yeezy line was a staple for Adidas, and the surplus product is due, in part, to the brand’s own decision to continue production during the split.

According to CEO Bjorn Gulden, Adidas continued production of only the items already in the pipeline to prevent thousands of people from losing their jobs. However, that has led to the unfortunate overabundance of Yeezy sneakers and clothes. 

On Wednesday, Gulden said that selling the shoes and donating the proceeds makes more sense than giving them away due to the Yeezy resale market — which has reportedly shot up 30% since October.

“If we sell it, I promise that the people who have been hurt by this will also get something good out of this,” Gulden said in a statement to the press. 

However, Gulden also said that West is entitled to a portion of the proceeds of the sale of Yeezys per his royalty agreement.

The Numbers 

Adidas announced in February that, following its divergence from West, it is facing potential sales losses totaling around $1.2 billion and profit losses of around $500 million. 

If it decides to not sell any more Yeezy products, Adidas is facing a projected annual loss of over $700 million.

Outside of West, Adidas has taken several heavy profit blows recently. Its operating profit reportedly fell by 66% last year, a total of more than $700 million. It also pulled out of Russia after the country’s invasion of Ukraine last year, which cost Adidas nearly $60 million dollars. Additionally, China’s “Zero Covid” lockdowns last year caused in part a 36% drop in revenue for Adidas compared to years prior.

As a step towards a solution, Gulden announced that the company is slashing its dividends from 3.30 euros to 0.70 euro cents per share pending shareholder approval. 

Adidas has labeled 2023 a “transition year” for the company. 

“Adidas has all the ingredients to be successful. But we need to put our focus back on our core: product, consumers, retail partners, and athletes,” Gulden said. “I am convinced that over time we will make Adidas shine again. But we need some time.”

See what others are saying: (The Washington Post) (The New York Times) (CNN)

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Immigration Could Be A Solution to Nursing Home Labor Shortages

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2 weeks ago

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March 7, 2023

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98% of nursing homes in the United States are experiencing difficulty hiring staff. 

The Labor Crisis 

A recent National Bureau of Economic Research paper has offered up a solution to the nursing home labor shortage: immigration. 

According to a 2022 American Health Care Association survey, six in ten nursing homes are limiting new patients due to staffing issues. The survey also says that 87% of nursing homes have staffing shortages and 98% are experiencing difficulty hiring. 

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) outlined in their paper that increased immigration could help solve the labor shortage in nursing homes. Immigrants make up 19% of nursing home workers.

With every 10% increase in female immigration, nursing assistant hours go up by 0.7% and registered nursing hours go up by 1.1% And with that same immigration increase, short-term hospitalizations of nursing home residents go down by 0.6%.

The Solution 

Additionally, the State Department issued 145% more EB-3 documents, which are employment-based visas, for healthcare workers in the 2022 fiscal year than in 2019, suggesting that more people are coming to the U.S. to work in health care. 

However, according to Skilled Nursing News, in August of 2022, the approval process from beginning to end for an RN can take between seven to nine months. 

Displeasure about immigration has exploded since Pres. Joe Biden took office in 2021. According to a Gallup study published in February, around 40% of American adults want to see immigration decrease. That is a steep jump from 19% in 2021, and it is the highest the figure has been since 2016.

However, more than half of Democrats still are satisfied with immigration and want to see it increased. But with a divided Congress, the likelihood of any substantial immigration change happening is pretty slim. 

See what others are saying: (Axios) (KHN) (Skilled Nursing News)

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