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Congressman Cohen Condemns Trump Supporters’ Failure to Observe Public Health Protocols

January 10, 2021

House Members’ refusal to wear masks and travel from Washington to Charlotte showcase bad examples

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN) today condemned the poor example set by President Trump in failing to wear a mask and in ridiculing those who follow guidelines set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thereby encouraging his supporters to endanger public health. He made the following statement:

"The House Physician has now warned Members who were in the room with Republican Members who refused to wear masks during Wednesday's siege at the U.S. Capitol that they may have been exposed to coronavirus. This reckless behavior has endangered their colleagues. On my return to Memphis Thursday night, few of the Trumpers in the waiting areas of the Washington airport were wearing masks and no one sought to correct it. Then, when I got on my flight to Charlotte, I traveled with a group of pro-Trump supporters who failed to observe commonsense public health protocols during a pandemic. One, offered hand sanitizer on the plane, referred to a ‘Covid hoax.' These were some of the same Trump supporters drawn to the ‘Stop the Steal' rally that led to the insurrection at the Capitol by those now easily identifiable for prosecution – because they weren't wearing masks. What is it going to take to make these dangerous zealots heed advice for both their own and others' safety? Trump's supporters believe anything he says, and his continued influence with this group is endangering public health and our democracy."