Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) on Thursday blasted the politicization of protective face masks that has occurred during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The politicization around masks, I think history is going to write as one of the worst things that’s happened to this country,” Walz said at a press conference, according to WCCO-TV.
“I think it cost lives,” he said of the pushback against masks by those who view them as a political statement. “I think it’s stupid. It’s the least intrusive thing we can do.”
Walz faced criticism when he issued a statewide mask mandate in July that required the usage of protective face coverings while indoors in public settings and businesses.
Walz’s comments come as he’s working to end most of Minnesota’s COVID-19 policies by incentivizing getting vaccinated. He’s aiming to end the mask mandate as soon as possible, but wants 70 percent of those eligible to get at least one vaccine dose first. He’s pledged to lift it by July 1 regardless.
“If you don’t like the mask, then let’s get vaccinated,” Walz said.