VP Mike Pence visiting Mayo Clinic - Not Wearing a Mask

Guest219794 · Apr 29, 2020

Regardless of WHO, CDC, Brix, Fauci, etc.. not wearing a mask in this situation is both a poor choice, and a poor example. It represents a failure of leadership as well negligence on the part of Mayo Clinic.

On a personal basis, I highly doubt that Pence's physician has advised him to skip the mask in these situations. And, he is a role model. Politics aside it is a really bad idea for somebody to go into a hospital without a mask. And since he is a role model, he can choose what message he gives to the public.

"https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-requiring-all-patients-visitors-to-wear-masks/"

"Patients and visitors are asked to bring their own face covering or mask to wear. If a patient or visitor does not have a mask, Mayo Clinic will provide one. Unless the visitor is the Vice President, in which case we will provide the opportunity for a photo op in order to demonstrate that using masks is not important."

Emergent, RN · Apr 29, 2020

Did anyone ask him about it? I saw the headline on a news site, but I guess it wasn't interesting enough for me to read article.

It seems disrespectful of him to not wear a mask, even if he is ideologically in disagreement with the policy. Sometimes we have to do things in order to make other people feel comfortable, or be respectful of their wishes.

allnurses Guide · Apr 29, 2020

21 minutes ago, Emergent said:
Did anyone ask him about it? I saw the headline on a news site, but I guess it wasn't interesting enough for me to read article.
It seems disrespectful of him to not wear a mask, even if he is ideologically in disagreement with the policy. Sometimes we have to do things in order to make other people feel comfortable, or be respectful of their wishes.

He was asked about it and released an official statement that he wanted to be able to look people "in the eyes" and that since he and everyone around him are regularly tested he poses no risk.

On an editorial note, I cannot roll my eyes hard enough at this nonsense.

Emergent, RN · Apr 29, 2020

14 minutes ago, Nurse SMS said:
He was asked about it and released an official statement that he wanted to be able to look people "in the eyes" and that since he and everyone around him are regularly tested he poses no risk.
On an editorial note, I cannot roll my eyes hard enough at this nonsense.

So, special people like him get tested regularly. Health care workers do not.

Columnist · Apr 30, 2020

After being criticized for not wearing a mask while visiting patients at the Mayo Clinic earlier this week, Vice President Pence decided to wear a mask in public today while touring the GM plant in Indiana.

rzyzzy · May 1, 2020

I recently left a job specifically because our “mandatory” mask policy for everyone (patients and staff) became “optional” if the patient didn’t want to wear a mask.

I felt that allowing one grumpy patient to risk the health of 15-20+ immunocompromised patients (and staff) in the same room was outside the boundaries of my interpretation of my state’s nurse practice act. A few weeks later, our governor made an executive order requiring masks in all enclosed public accommodations - which I believe is the least one can do to protect those who are forced to continue working during a pandemic.

Mr Pence is lucky I wasn’t the nurse on duty during his visit, as I would not have allowed him on the floor, period. Infection control during a pandemic isn’t negotiable.

OUxPhys, BSN, RN · May 1, 2020

Everyone around him is wearing a mask and he didn't think he had to? Why? Because he is the VP? I'm just so sick of people doing the whole "do as I say, not as I do".

rzyzzy · May 1, 2020

On 4/28/2020 at 9:41 PM, Emergent said:
Masks are symbolic in my opinion. I will use them ( once I'm off this self quarantine) in order to make other people feel at ease, and do the socially acceptable thing in this crisis.
He's probably making a political statement. I think the administration is more in the line of, let nature take its course, and keep the economy rolling.
That is another perspective. This isn't the bubonic plague. It's more serious and the flu, but way way way less serious than Ebola.

Ebola was a more serious infection than this, but Ebola also requires contact (not droplet or airborne) precautions - so covid is actually much easier to transmit - that’s precisely why we have a million infected people in the US.

Further, even with PPE spotters, negative-pressure rooms and nurses wearing bunny-suits - a couple of nurses were able to get infected with Ebola and they were thrown under the bus when it happened.

Wearing surgical masks is far from the ideal solution - but it’s the best solution we reasonably have, and it’s more than being “socially acceptable”, it’s the least that one can do to protect others - who might not be as flippant about the seriousness of the risks you’re exposing them to.

Guest219794 · May 1, 2020

https://www.foxnews.com/media/karen-pence-defends-vp-mike-pence-not-wearing-mask

Apparently, the the leader of The White House Coronavirus Task Force, he just didn't know what was expected in hospitals.

Or that Corona can develop between tests.

Or that the tests have a high rate of false negatives.

What if that was actually true? What if he really does not know this stuff?

I really hope that for the good of the country that he really does know this stuff, and is lying about it to get a good photo op.

Marisette, BSN, RN · May 1, 2020

On 4/28/2020 at 2:21 PM, A Hit With The Ladies said:
Which is exactly why I don't care much for their sanctimonious attitudes. The Surgeon General was saying a month ago we didn't need to wear masks. Apparently they just lied to the general public to prevent a PPE shortage for healthcare workers. We all know how well that worked out!

So very true. So many false statements during this whole event. Everything from we are at low risk in US, to no need to wear mask, to this is not a pandemic. How are we to trust any statements coming in from government and sopposedly reliable medical experts ?

InTheLongRun · May 2, 2020

I think my bigger problem is with Mayo over Pence. They knew better and should have found their spine.

MarkMyWords · May 4, 2020

It is possible that he he took off his mask for the camera. Know any government leaders who wear masks on television or internet? because it looks unprofessional and undignified. I think the general public wants to see their leaders' faces, communicating confidence and a smile. IMO.

I am not justifying this or defending him. Politicians are notoriously hypocritical or double-standard, everywhere. You think all the governors practice social distance and wear masks in their free time? I doubt it.