According to a report from ABC News, the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota recently announced a partnership between the clinic and the state, as well as the University of Minnesota, meant to increase the coronavirus testing capacity within the state to 20,000 tests per day.
As a result of this massive partnership, Vice President Mike Pence traveled to the clinic today to learn more about the deal and the COVID-19 tests they will be using to help keep their citizens safe.
But after seeing Pence during his meeting with the clinic, all I can say is it’s a damn good thing they’re not relying on the Vice President for their safety, as the guy didn’t even so much as wear a mask.
Video footage of Pence during his trip to the Mayo Clinic showed him talking to multiple officials and a patient, in very close quarters, without a face mask — blatantly defying the rules set forth by the clinic requiring all people to wear a face-covering to help prevent the spread of the life-threatening virus.
PENCE flouts Mayo Clinic policy that everyone on campus wear a mask, even as he meets with staff and a patient. pic.twitter.com/kfo64KQDhU
— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) April 28, 2020
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
Of course, this is far from the first time the Vice President has flouted the rules and recommendations throughout this deadly pandemic.
Pence followed the lead of Donald Trump at the beginning of this mess and spent quite some time refusing to forego the handshakes as the CDC recommended early on, saying it was just part of being a politician.
Since the outbreak has worsened exponentially, Pence still doesn’t seem to think he should be held accountable to the rules.
As Politico reporter Dan Diamon points out, Pence has a long-standing habit of defying the face-covering rules:
Mayo Clinic requires all visitors to wear a mask. Will Mike Pence do so today? Famed hospital punted Qs about the visit from the VP, who has avoided wearing a mask in photo opps. pic.twitter.com/u4iAtjTJGn
— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) April 28, 2020
Here’s a masked Gov. Jared Polis meeting an unmasked Pence in VP’s trip to Colorado 10 days ago. pic.twitter.com/fQJc3PvJwj
— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) April 28, 2020
Perhaps covering his face reminds him too much of something “Mother” wouldn’t approve of.
Featured image via screen capture
Like what you see here? Join the discussion on Facebook over at Americans For Sanity!
