‘We’ll see’: Trump refuses to say whether he will abide by Ford demand to wear mask on factory visit

‘I haven’t even thought of it,’ says the president

President Donald Trump has refused to say whether he will abide by Ford’s rule, and wear a face mask on a visit to one of their factories.

Ford Motor Company revealed earlier this week that it informed the president that he will have to wear a face mask when he visits their Michigan factory, which is making ventilators amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The company’s policy says that “everyone wears PPE (personal protective equipment) to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” according to a statement from Ford.

“We shared all of Ford’s safety protocols, including our manufacturing playbook, employee pamphlet and self-assessment survey with the White House ahead of time and in preparation for this trip.” it added.

The company later issued an updated statement, that seemingly suggested Mr Trump would be welcome with or without a face mask during his visit on Thursday.

“The White House has its own safety and testing policies in place and will make its own determination,” the statement read.

When asked on Tuesday if he will wear a face mask on his visit to the Ford plant, Mr Trump said he was unsure.

“I don’t know. I haven’t even thought of it. It depends I mean, on certain areas I would and certain areas I don’t,” the president said.

“But I will certainly look at it. It depends on what situation. Am I standing right next to everybody? Or am I spread out?

“Also, you look, is something a hospital? Is it a ward? What is it exactly? I’m going to a plant. So we’ll see. Where it is appropriate I would do it certainly.” he added.

Under Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer’s order, manufacturing plants are supposed to suspend all non-essential factory visits and tours.

However, Ms Whitmer’s spokesperson, Zack Pohl told the Detroit Free Press that Mr Trump’s visit is welcomed.

“While the president’s visit is contrary to the governor’s order, this is an opportunity to showcase how important Michigan is to the response to Covid-19 and rebuilding our nation’s economy,” Mr Pohl wrote.

In early April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommended that everyone in the US wear a face mask, or cloth face covering.

“CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain,” their guidelines read.

Despite the guidance, the president has made it clear that he will not wear a face mask in public, because the guidelines are voluntary.

“I just don’t want to wear one,” he said. “Somehow sitting in the Oval Office behind that beautiful Resolute desk ... I don’t see it for myself,” he added.

The attitude has been adopted by some supporters of the president, who feel that by not wearing a mask, they are showing their support for Mr Trump.

In April, vice president Mike Pence wore a face mask on a visit to a General Motors plant, a day after being criticised for not wearing one at the Mayo Clinic.

After his visit to the clinic, he said that he did not have to wear a mask because he did not have coronavirus.

“As Vice President of the United States I’m tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus,” he said.

“And since I don’t have the coronavirus, I thought it’d be a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers, these incredible healthcare personnel and look them in the eye and say thank you,” the vice president added.

According to a tracking project hosted by Johns Hopkins University, there are now more than 1.5 million people who have tested positive for coronavirus in the US. The death toll has reached at least 91,661.