this was an entirely new strain of virus...no one knew exactly how to react until more data came in. at first, experts said masks were not required in public because they thought people would socially distance out of concern for their own safety, and they were also worried that if everybody wore a mask, the supply for essential workers would be threatened, including health care professionals who had close contact with infected patients. but it became more clear this virus was incredibly contagious, and not enough folks maintained social distancing even if possible, and masks had to be required in order to keep the infection rate low...but trump could not even respect that, being the incompetent moron he is. everybody he knows has been infected - himself, his family, his secret service agents, people at his stupid shit rallies and events, and he is supposed to be our leader and the go to guy in this emergency?