Jul 13 In reversal, U.K. says it will make masks mandatory in shops By Associated Press After days of confused messaging, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government said late Monday that masks will be required in stores starting July 24. Continue reading
Jul 13 In the U.K. and France, debate over whether to require face masks spreads By Angela Charlton, Danica Kirka, Associated Press Scientists say the two countries' governments should have done so ever since they started easing lockdowns — like many other European nations did. Continue reading
Jul 01 ‘I’m all for masks,’ Trump says in interview By Aamer Madhani, Darlene Superville, Associated Press Trump's comments came a day after Republican lawmakers suggested that the president should wear a mask in public to set a good example for Americans. Continue reading
Jun 25 Watch 6:50 Why a temporary halt on reopening is ‘wholly inadequate’ to contain virus The surge of new coronavirus infections is spreading wider and faster across the country, with 29 states reporting notable increases in cases. The head of the CDC also said it’s believed that at least 23 million Americans have been infected,… Continue watching
Jun 19 Watch 8:18 How wearing a face mask became politically fraught As several states experience surges in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the debate over wearing face masks is creating a sharp divide. Nearly everyone in the public health community says masks worn in crowded places can help slow coronavirus spread --… Continue watching
Jun 19 Phoenix mandates use of face masks for coronavirus By Terry Tang, Associated Press At an emergency meeting Friday, Mayor Kate Gallego and the Phoenix City Council voted to make masks or face coverings mandatory. The order goes into effect at 6 a.m. Saturday. Continue reading
Jun 19 AMC Theaters to require face masks after backlash By Lindsey Bahr, Associated Press The nation’s largest movie theater chain changed its position on mask-wearing less than a day after the company became a target on social media for saying it would defer to local governments on the issue. Continue reading
Jun 17 Pelosi requiring masks for House hearings By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press The requirement does not apply to the House floor, where a Republican lawmaker who tested positive for coronavirus was recently seen without a face covering. Continue reading
May 28 Man charged for attempted $317 million sale of virus masks that didn’t exist By Associated Press A Georgia man has been charged in federal court with trying to swindle a foreign government out of $317 million in exchange for a huge shipment of masks to protect against the coronavirus that didn't really exist. Continue reading
May 28 Mitch McConnell stresses need to wear face masks in public By Bruce Schreiner, Associated Press Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is stressing the importance of wearing masks in public as the nation's economy reopens. In doing so, the Kentucky Republican waded into a politically charged issue. Continue reading