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Melania Trump slammed for removing mask at children's hospital
Melania Trump has been slammed online after removing her mask to read to children at a hospital.
The First Lady arrived at Children’s National Hospital in Washington on Tuesday wearing a green coat and a black mask, but decided to take it off to read the children a Christmas book called ‘Oliver the Ornament Meets Marley and Joan and Abbey’ .
"It is wonderful to be here. This is one of my favorite events during the holiday time and I'm very excited and looking forward to reading a book,” Melania said when she sat down to read the book.
"I'm thinking of you all. Stay strong and well and Merry Christmas and happy holidays.”
Due to pandemic concerns, AP reports there were two children in the room at the time and the reading was broadcast to children in the rest of the hospital.
According to CNN, while Melania made sure to practice social distancing during her visit, she went against the hospital’s policy by removing the mask.
"Everyone must wear a mask at all times while in any Children's National facility to prevent the spread of COVID-19," the publication quoted the policy as stating.
The policy includes "wearing a mask when entering any Children's National building, as mandated by area officials. This includes all public places, such as the hallway and cafeteria," and "wearing a mask at all times when you are around other individuals."
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The two children and staff were pictured sitting far away from Melania as she read the book out loud.
It’s not clear whether the First Lady received a special exemption from the hospital to remove her mask so she could read to the children.
Twitter users were left in shock over the apparent breach of rules, with one person writing:“They should have escorted her right to the door.”
“She should have been asked to put it on or leave. Just like the rest of us,” another person wrote.
“I mean it's not like there is a global pandemic going on and she's around sick childr...ohhhh,” a twitter user said.
Others defended the First Lady, with one person writing: “I don’t blame her for this. The kids wouldn’t have understood what she was saying with the mask on. It says other than when reading, her mask was on.”
The visit came just months after Melania was struck down with COVID-19 in October.
Taking to the White House website, the First Lady penned an essay about her experience with the virus, which according to the John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center has killed 303,500 people in the US.
Melania said her symptoms hit her like a rollercoaster and she experienced body aches, a cough and headaches.
“It was an unfamiliar feeling for me to be the patient instead of a person trying to encourage our nation to stay healthy and safe. It was me being taken care of now, and getting first-hand experience with all that COVID-19 can do,” she wrote.
President Donald Trump also contracted COVID-19, as did the couple’s son, Barron Trump.
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