WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nevermind Dr. Anthony Fauci’s first pitch at the Major League Baseball game between the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees looking more like a pickoff play to first base, what he did afterward has the internet on fire this weekend.
Fauci was caught sitting in the stands of the game with his mask around his neck and detractors of the doctor quickly criticized him for his hard-line stance and constant nagging, telling Americans they should wear face masks at all times.
“I think this is sort of mischievous with this thing going around. I had my mask around my chin, I had taken it down and totally dehydrated,” Fauci said. “I was drinking water trying to rehydrate myself and by the way, I was negative COVID the day before and people want to make a thing of that. I wear a mask all the time when I’m outside. To pull it down and take some sips of water and put it back up again, I guess if people want to make something about that, they can.”
Fauci is the main driving force behind the national trend to wear masks at all times.
In Washington, D.C., it is required by law to wear a mask once you leave your home, according to Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Earlier this month, Fauci said it was critical for all Americans to wear face coverings.
“If you say ‘it doesn’t matter whether you put it on or take it off,’ you’re giving a wrong, mixed signal,” Fauci said on July 7th. “The message should be, ‘Wear a mask, period.'”
Fauci said the sitting to his right was a non-familial friend of his.
The photo was taken by Associated Press photographer Alex Brandon.
“Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, center, smiles as he watches an opening day baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the New York Yankees at Nationals Park, Thursday, July 23, 2020, in Washington,” Brandon’s caption of the photo read.
Is this because I didn’t respond to Washpo request for interview? Also was tested for covid before entering White House. Also just following Fauci’s lead on how to wear a mask. Also Boom Roasted. https://t.co/e8GoyZSaPp pic.twitter.com/wa3KXbYDEe
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 24, 2020