Nancy Pelosi throws down the gauntlet at House Republicans
Wearing a mask in public during the pandemic should simply be a matter of common sense, self preservation, and basic decency. But it’s instead somehow become yet another partisan issue, with Republican leaders creepily flaunting their unwillingness to wear masks, and conservative regions of the country foolishly going along with it.
But now Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is throwing down the gauntlet when it comes to masks – at least within her own house. She’s announced that no member of the House of Representatives will be allowed entry into any hearing unless they’re wearing a mask. The Washington Post says that she’ll have the House Sergeant-at-Arms actively enforce the rule.
To answer the obvious question, yes, Pelosi has the legal standing to do this. The question now is whether certain House Republicans will go through the stunt of showing up without a mask and making sure they get thrown out, just so they can pander to the most ignorant members of their own base.
Either way, at this point everyone should be wearing a mask while out in public until the coronavirus vaccine finally arrives. There’s a reason coronavirus cases are plummeting in New York even as they’re skyrocketing in numerous red states: nearly all New Yorkers are wearing masks.
