Trump's reluctance to wear a face mask sends a fatal message

Frida Ghitis, a former CNN producer and correspondent, is a world affairs columnist. She is a frequent opinion contributor to CNN, a contributing columnist to the Washington Post and a columnist for World Politics Review. Follow her on Twitter @fridaghitis. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author. Read more opinion on CNN.

Just hours after America reached the grim milestone of 100,000 people killed in the pandemic, President Donald Trump took a moment to promote a wild theory whose acceptance can only lead to more deaths. The President retweeted a link to an article claiming that wearing face masks has nothing to do with public health, and is instead a path to"social control."

Frida GhitisThe article is the kind of harebrained analysis making the rounds in the moldy corners of the far right, where every manner of bizarre, anti-scientific, anti-establishment notion seems to grow like a bacterial culture, challenging the immune system of America's democracy. Of course, Trump had to amplify it to his millions of followers.

FridaGhitis Opinion We need a vaccine,the mask is not the issue.

FridaGhitis Opinion More and more, wearing a mask is becoming a statement, the mask wearers identifying with common sense democrats. The 'no masks', are Trump's base. Look at the 'Liberate the States', white supremacists, climate change deniers, users of bleach & suntan orange spray. Vote Blue.

FridaGhitis Opinion Then why does the World Health Organization continue to have have on their site that healthy people don’t need to wear a mask?

FridaGhitis Opinion Not true. I don’t wear either.

FridaGhitis Opinion Masks are the new 'arm bands'

FridaGhitis Opinion You really are the bottom of the food chain CNN. What a statement to come out with. Shame...you are proving you're worth

FridaGhitis Opinion Ur mask thing is a crock of shit 😡

FridaGhitis Opinion This will expose the COVID LIES

FridaGhitis Opinion hahaha, look at your 2 muzzled little monkeys in the back ground... Read em and weep CNN Sucks...

FridaGhitis Opinion Logical hypothetical belief given the ignorance of people saving the world donning and doffing the same mask day after day without sterilizing it or their hands.

FridaGhitis Opinion He’s the President of the United States. No symptoms, his subordinates wear a mask, what the issue if not to just be a rabble rouser like the fake news YOU are!!!

thanks for the lame opinion. Hacks backtowork America

FridaGhitis Opinion This is a bad take

FridaGhitis Opinion It's truly, simply, a symbol of trump. The minute is was stated that your mask wasn't for your benefit, but for the benefit of others, his Shits-Given-O-Meter went straight to 0.

FridaGhitis Opinion CNN, no one believes this bs anymore.

FridaGhitis Opinion GDMFBS

FridaGhitis Opinion Ummm...no 🙄FakeNews

FridaGhitis Opinion Even Hannity was promoting wearing a mask tonight and even ran a mini-special about their benefits.

FridaGhitis Opinion CNN think the rioters are all Trump supporters. lol.

FridaGhitis Opinion 50 Pcs Disposable Filter 3-ply Face Protective Cover Personal Protection! Get it here:

FridaGhitis Opinion is fake news

FridaGhitis Opinion FAKE NEWS

FridaGhitis Opinion cleaning homes frequently with bleach was effective at 77% while wearing a mask was 79% effective at preventing the spread of coronavirus. and yet some airheaded people think that the mask won't help, and it 'deprives' us from oxygen.

FridaGhitis Opinion Trump's so childish Homtut DreamNigeria

FridaGhitis Opinion Sounds “On Brand” to me.

FridaGhitis Opinion Since the death of George Floyd and the huge mess that is happening are you guys still going to vote for Donald Trump

FridaGhitis Opinion At this point who cares about Trump or his base? Anyone?Anyone at all?

FridaGhitis Opinion One person not wearing a mask It's just a rain drop in the ocean . I know people who are claustrophobia to masks. Maybe he is one of those.

FridaGhitis Opinion The politicization of the pandemic was always going to be disastrous & the man leading the way in that respect is TRUMP. He has intentionally turned this into a left/right battle. Those who wear masks are deemed 'crazy liberals' & those who don't are 'patriots' - total nonsense.

FridaGhitis Opinion Too bad 4 CNN et al that the virus is sharply seasonal like all such viruses & will trough end of June early July & be in the rearview mirror by August. Time to RE-OPEN, while being cautious. As long as you're not going out with symptoms or talking directly at people, will be ok.

FridaGhitis Opinion Some people who wear masks are being verbally attacked for wearing them. Trump has caused a climate making it dangerous to try and protect ourselves and others. That's evil.

FridaGhitis Opinion If this isn't the stupidest article I've seen all day. 🙄

FridaGhitis Opinion We have a similar situation with Cummings; taking precautions seen as ‘main stream media agenda’ with lefties seeking caution and those on the right wanting to lick the pavement. Seems that any notion of middle ground is long gone. BorisJohnsonMustGo cummings

FridaGhitis Opinion Ultimate loser will be the man who is contesting the election to get re- elected.

corybarlog FridaGhitis Opinion Are you joking about this morons they are just looking for an excuse at this point

FridaGhitis Opinion

FridaGhitis Opinion Fauci is the evil of all....Trump is innocent.

FridaGhitis Opinion or your viewers could grow tf up and accept some people are gonna have different opinions

FridaGhitis Opinion

FridaGhitis Opinion So your reporters are Trump supporters cause they take their masks off the moment the camera is off?

FridaGhitis Opinion O know a bunch of Democrats refusing to wear masks...

FridaGhitis Opinion Guess you haven't been fact checked..Go figure

FridaGhitis Opinion 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣I never thought media could stoop this low

FridaGhitis Opinion If thats the case, Michigan is going very very red in 2020

FridaGhitis Opinion keep sowing that divide cnn. its what you are best at

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