Joe Biden sparked controversy when he suggested people who wear masks are anti-vaxxers who should be treated “with kindness and respect.”
On Thursday, the CDC announced individuals who are fully vaccinated can remove their masks indoors and outdoors.
Biden and his vice president, Kamala Harris, both removed their masks during a press conference at the White House on Thursday.
In a tweet dubbed “Biden’s Rule” by social media users, the president wrote:
“The rule is now simple: get vaccinated or wear a mask until you do.
The choice is yours.”
The rule is now simple: get vaccinated or wear a mask until you do.
The choice is yours.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 13, 2021
Biden also said, if you see someone wearing a mask, “please treat them with kindness and respect. We’ve had too much conflict, too much bitterness, too much anger, too much politicization of this issue about wearing masks. Let’s put it to rest.”
Critics say Biden’s rule puts pressure on Americans to get the experimental mRNA vaccine because his tweet suggests people who still wear masks are not vaccinated.
Pres. Biden: If you see someone in a mask, "please treat them with kindness and respect."
"We've had too much conflict, too much bitterness, too much anger, too much politicization of this issue…Let's put it to rest." https://t.co/JnOdGRIaZy pic.twitter.com/bI0Y1AYkaI
— ABC News (@ABC) May 13, 2021
