The vice president's horrible example

Vice President Mike Pence visited the world-renowned Mayo Clinic on April 28. He was advised of their policy that all visitors must wear face masks. I guess the Mayo people thought it would be awkward to deny entry to the vice president, even if he violated their rules. Thus, Pence visited Mayo and many of its patients without a mask and NBC reported it.

He claimed he's tested frequently for COVID-19 and didn't need a mask. I remember further that the president said in one of his daily briefings that people would be asked to wear masks, but he wouldn't wear one. That hypocrisy is not just intellectually offensive, it costs lives. Trump followers were virtually given permission to avoid wearing masks that could save lives. Now, Pence has demonstrated a hospital visit without a face mask, modeling even worse behavior. That is stupid.

It's bad enough that Trump mused at a daily briefing about whether disinfectants might be used internally to kill COVID-19. That irresponsible, ill-thought-out comment resulted in panicky responses from the medical community and poison control centers to prevent gullible people from consuming Clorox or Lysol. But to disdain the rules of a world-class medical facility by not wearing a mask in its hospital borders on criminal behavior. In addition, it sends a dangerous message - that there is no need to protect others by masking yourself.

I've had it with the Trump administration. I've been a loyal Republican all my life, but I can no longer stay silent when our top leaders flagrantly demonstrate hypocrisy, gross incompetence and behavior that can cost lives. Fortunately, most governors show good reasoning and demonstrate proper behavior. We can stay safe if we focus on them and ignore the White House.

Wayne H. Wagner

Arlington Heights