Melania Trump without a mask welcomes dozens of children, hugs some

• Despite overwhelming data supporting the use of face masks and social distancing to contain the spread of Covid-19, the White House continues to reject these two practices during high-profile events.
• First Lady Melania Trump and many other attendees went maskless during a children’s event at the White House on Monday that celebrated the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
• Melania spoke and shook hands with many maskless children and kissed some of them, according to CNN reporter Kate Bennett.
• Visit the Business Insider homepage for more stories.

Despite overwhelming data supporting the use of face masks and social distancing to contain the spread of Covid-19, the White House continues to reject these two practices during high-profile events.

First Lady Melania Trump and many other attendees went maskless during a children’s event at the White House on Monday that celebrated the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted white American women the right to vote .

Melania spoke and shook hands with many maskless children and kissed some of them, according to CNN reporter Kate Bennett. In the crowd attending the event, senior White House and administration officials including Second Lady Karen Pence, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and White House Advisor Kellyanne Conway mingled without wearing masks.

The event took place outside, and the White House told Business Insider that all attendees were tested for coronavirus upon arrival. But the rapid tests used by the administration are not 100% reliable, and images of the event have sent a message to Americans that masks and social distancing are not necessary.

While Melania urged Americans to wear face and social distancing masks in a video and tweet in early April, she rarely wears a mask in public. A recent poll shows a majority of Republicans support the wearing of masks and government mask-wearing mandates, but there is still widespread disrespect for mitigation policies across the country.

President Donald Trump and his administration have hosted dozens of White House events that have also failed to set an example for the nation when it comes to Covid-19.

—Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) Aug 24, 2020

AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite

—Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) Aug 24, 2020