WASHINGTON: A chastened US President Donald Trump finally began vigorously promoting mitigation measures against coronavirus, including mask-wearing and social distancing, after the United States recorded 1000 deaths in a single day for the first time since May 29 in a upsurge of the pandemic across much of the country.
After weeks of disdaining masks, waving away the coronavirus saying the pandemic will one day disappear, and generally adopting a lackadaisical, even cavalier attitude on the issue by holding political rallies, Trump acknowledged on Tuesday that “It will probably unfortunately get worse before it gets better.” Pulling a mask out of his pocket at a White House briefing, he said he himself was “getting used to the mask” and “whether you like the mask or not, they have an impact.”
It was a totally different tune and tone from the subdued U.S President as he returned alone to the White House podium for a coronavirus briefing, afte