Wearing a mask or face covering in the US has become about more than just slowing the spread of COVID-19 — some experts say it's a political statement, signalling another layer in the deep divisions within America.
The country's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise people to wear face coverings when social distancing is not an option, but despite this US President Donald Trump has yet to be photographed in public wearing one.
While Republicans have been more associated with avoiding masks, this week US Vice-President Mike Pence became the latest high-profile member of the party to say wearing one was a "good idea".
May Chu, a clinical professor at the Colorado School of Public Health, told the ABC more coordinated and synchronised messaging from the White House would encourage people to wear masks.
"For folks not wanting to wear face masks, this is an easy out, especially if their own political leaning is with the top leadership."
Dr. Chu said wearing masks had been broadly viewed as a political identifier across the country and the culture surrounding it was "conflated with political implications".
Read the full article at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
