Jones knocks GOP senators for not wearing masks: ‘Set an example’

Alabama Sen. Doug Jones (D) chided some of his Republican colleagues who have refused to wear masks in the Capitol, warning they are setting a poor example for Americans who are seeking to protect themselves during the coronavirus pandemic. 

“I was waiting to get on the subway yesterday, and a group of Republican senators got off,” Jones said on CNN, referring to the private underground transportation systems beneath the Capitol that connect the complex’s office buildings. 

“Not a single one of them or their staffs were wearing masks,” he added. “I think that sends a wrong message. I would like to see the administration — the president, the vice president, whenever they are out, they need to be wearing a mask.” 

The criticism comes as some Republicans refuse to wear masks on Capitol grounds despite guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which advises the wearing of cloth face coverings outside the home.

While neither party has had its members wear the coverings without exceptions, Republicans, including high-profile lawmakers such as Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), have appeared more reluctant to use masks.

President Trump, who is known to be image-conscious, has also declined to wear a mask despite a recent order for West Wing staffers to cover their mouths at all times at work when they’re away from their desks.

“You can do it. You don’t have to do it,” Trump said at the beginning of April while announcing the CDC’s guidance. “I’m choosing not to do it, but some people may want to do it, and that’s OK.”

Jones, considered the most vulnerable Democratic senator up for reelection this year, said the public spotlight on lawmakers thrusts upon them the responsibility to model proper behavior as the coronavirus outbreak continues to expand, infecting more than 1.3 million people in the U.S. alone. 

“I think we have to set an example. I’ve been trying to do that in my home state for the last six weeks or seven weeks. Set an example,” he said. “Try to tell people, ‘It’s OK. It’s not a cultural shock to wear a mask out in public these days, because I want to protect your health. And I want you to protect mine.’”