Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said federal government officials’ insistence on wearing masks in public appearances has discouraged people from getting the COVID-19 vaccine, suggesting that it’s not necessary for fully vaccinated individuals to keep wearing masks around in public.
Describing the move as “theater,” Paul said it would harm efforts to get people vaccinated if the public doesn’t believe the shot has an impact in curbing the spread of the virus. He was referring to an online meeting of world leaders in which President Joe Biden was the only official wearing a mask.
