Having said that the doctor Capitol suggests wearing a mask when social distancing is not possible, Yoho cited no need because of “herd immunity”.
CNN observed to Yoho that medical experts have not established that herd immunity applies to the new coronavirus. Yoho replied: “Viruses do what viruses do.”
Asked if he thinks he is protected from herd immunity, Yoho said, “I think the only way to get there is to be exposed.”
Herd immunity refers to when a large segment of the population is immune to a specific disease – and the more contagious a disease is, the more people generally need to be vaccinated for herd immunity to occur. There is no vaccine for Covid-19 yet.
Yoho managed several veterinary practices before winning his first race in 2012.
During the Chamber session on Friday, most members of both sides were seen wearing masks. But a handful of Republicans continue to defy the recommendations, including Texas representative Louie Gohmert, who has been spotted sitting in the back of the chamber and talking at length with her colleagues.
In the Senate, many senators have also been seen wearing masks, but a couple of senators continue to do their business without wearing one. Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas republican, did not wear a mask on Capitol Hill. Asked why not earlier this week, Cotton told CNN: “We are six feet away” as he entered the GOP’s wardrobe.
Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who doesn’t even wear a mask, said he’s almost certainly immune to the virus since he has already contracted the disease. While Dr. Anthony Fauci and other infectious disease experts say that people who have had the disease are likely to be immune now, they say there is not enough evidence to make that determination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge Americans to wear face masks and facials in public since April 3, although President Donald Trump, who did not wear a mask on his White House rose garden on Friday, noted that the recommendation is voluntary and has left much of the rules that dictate the mask that is worn in the States.
Many states don’t require it, and some require employees to wear them to work. A recent published,
peer-reviewed study recommends that all governments wear masks and facials in public. Covers limit the spread of coronavirus by limiting the spread of respiratory droplets.
This story was updated with further developments on Friday.
CNN’s Paul Murphy contributed to this report.
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