Trump shifts rhetoric, warns virus is getting worse and urges use of masks

Washington DC: President Donald Trump warned Americans on Tuesday, July 21 that the toll from the novel coronavirus would get worse before it got better, and encouraged Americans to wear a mask if they cannot maintain social distance from people around them.

In his first briefing in months focused on the pandemic, Trump told reporters at the White House that the virus would probably get worse before it gets better, in one of his first recent acknowledgments of how bad the problem has become. "Some areas of our country are doing very well. Others are doing less well. It will probably, unfortunately, get worse before it gets better - something I don't like saying about things, but that's the way it is," he said.

In a shift in rhetoric, Trump encouraged Americans to wear masks, and pulled a mask out of his pocket, saying he carries it around. "I mean I carry the mask," he said, before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a blue face mask. "And I will use it gladly, no problem with it, and I've said that. And I say, if you can, use the mask. When you can, use the mask. If you're close to each other, if you're in a group, I would put it on when I'm in a group."

Trump, who downplayed the virus in its early stages and has been focused on reopening the economy in recent months despite an increase in cases, has been reluctant to wear a mask himself in public. He wore one for the first time in public during a recent visit to a military hospital but has otherwise eschewed putting one on in front of the press. Mask-wearing has become a partisan issue, with some Trump supporters saying being required to do infringes on their liberties.

As coronavirus cases skyrocket across the country, including in politically important states such as Florida, Texas and Arizona, the president is shifting his tone to try to get the number of cases under control as he fights for re-election against Democrat Joe Biden, who leads in opinion polls ahead of the Nov. 3 election. He urged young Americans to avoid crowded bars where the virus could spread.

"We are imploring young Americans to avoid packed bars and other crowded indoor gatherings. Be safe and be smart," he said.

Trump again argued that the virus would disappear at some point, but most of his comments on Tuesday were largely a sober recognition of how bad the problem has become.

Trump sought to leave some optimism about scientific developments in vaccines and treatments even as he acknowledged the grim statistics at present.When asked if the U.S. would cooperate with China on a vaccine, Trump, who several times called the virus "the China virus" during the news conference, said Washington would.

"Yeah, we're willing to work with anybody that's going to get us a good result. We're very close to the vaccine. I think we're going to have some very good results," he said. Nearly 142,000 Americans have died from COVID-19.