First lady Melania Trump removed her face mask to read a holiday story to children at the Children’s National Hospital on Tuesday, breaking hospital rules requiring visitors to wear a face covering amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The hospital’s policy says everyone should wear a mask at all times while in the facility to prevent the spread of COVID-19. That includes “wearing a mask when entering any Children’s National building, as mandated by area officials. This includes all public places, such as the hallway and cafeteria,” and “wearing a mask at all times when you are around other individuals,” according to CNN.
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Melania visited the hospital every year during her time as first lady but this year, they were some changes due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of reading to a packed room full of children, this year only two children were present in-person and the reading was live streamed to other patients in the hospital. Other attendees, including hospital staff, wore masks with some wearing protective face shields.
Melania kept her mask off for the entire time she was reading to the children, though she did practice social distancing. She put the mask back on while she was participating in a holiday themed bingo game.
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The hospital’s spokeswoman Diana Troese cited Washington’s COVID guidelines instead of the hospital’s when asked by CNN to comment.
“Our number one priority at Children’s National Hospital is the safety of our patients, families and employees. Under DC Health regulations, wearing a mask is not required when a person is giving a speech for broadcast or an audience, provided no one is within six feet of the speaker.”
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Both Melania and Donald Trump tested positive for coronavirus in October. But, its still not clear how long antibodies offer protection to the virus. So health experts still advise individuals to wear a mask even if they they tested positive for the virus.
