Democratic Governors Promote Mask Wearing While GOP Governors Put American Lives At Risk

In a New York Times op-ed yesterday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urged Americans to “be smart, be safe and mask up.” It’s an attitude she shares with all Democratic governors, who recognize the importance of mask-wearing and have all now instituted some form of a mask requirement in their states.

Democratic governors started instituting mask mandates as early as April, when Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont became the first governor to mandate masks statewide. A model from the University of Washington shows that near-universal mask-wearing could save tens of thousands of lives by Oct. 1.

But on the other side of the aisle, GOP governors are railing against science, public health guidance, and common sense:

• Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is suing the Mayor of Atlanta for mandating mask-wearing.

• Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she won’t allow cities and localities to institute mask requirements.

• South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is convinced masks are not a “useful tool”.

• Missouri Gov. Mike Parson refuses to institute a mask order and doesn’t think he needs to wear a “dang mask” in public because when he gets something on him, he wipes it off.

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose state is running out of ICU beds, won’t require masks.

Scientists and public health experts have reached a consensus already – masks save lives, end of discussion. GOP governors and the Trump administration need to get on board with mandating and encouraging mask usage across the country – or more Americans will needlessly die.

“Democratic governors are following science and common sense, while Republican governors pander to their extreme right-wing political base,” said DGA Communications Director David Turner. “Public health should not be political – masks save lives, end of discussion.”