President Joe Biden is helping to create a generation of people who are afraid of their own shadows.
Steven Nelson and Kate Sheehy report:
President Biden on Tuesday wore a face mask to a sparsely attended, outdoor press event at the White House — where he hailed new CDC guidelines eliminating the need for face coverings at such gatherings.
The president’s appearance on the North Lawn was designed to herald the eased mask restrictions for people — such as himself — who are fully vaccinated.
After walking to the podium in the black face covering, Biden took it off and said, “Starting today, if you’re fully vaccinated and you’re outdoors, you need — and not in a big crowd — you no longer need to wear a mask.”
US Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) had faint praise for the administration over the mask announcement.
“I’m glad the CDC finally acknowledged what has been obvious for a long time, which is that wearing a mask outside is silly and not remotely justified by the science,” said Cruz, whose state nixed mask-wearing early last month — and has yet to see an uptick in cases.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 27: U.S. President Joe Biden arrives to speak about updated CDC mask guidance on the North Lawn of the White House on April 27, 2021 in Washington, DC. President Biden announced updated CDC guidance, saying vaccinated Americans do not need to wear a mask outside when in small groups. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)