On Monday night, Fox News host Tucker Carlson revealed photos that allegedly show Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) not wearing a mask while walking through an airport terminal.
Carlson claimed the incident took place after the Democratic senator wrote a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration demanding that masks must be worn by “all airport and airline employees and passengers.”
BREAKING: Fox News host Tucker Carlson shows a photo of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who called for a nationwide mask mandate at airports 3 months ago, not wearing a mask at Dulles Airport on Friday. No comment from the senator's office, yet. pic.twitter.com/UU5j5X0QuU
— Daniel Chaitin (@danielchaitin7) September 29, 2020
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Before airing the photos, Carlson ran a video news clip from June in which a reporter says, “More and more lawmakers are calling for nationwide rule on wearing face coverings.
“Senator Dianne Feinstein has written to federal agencies asking for a mandatory mask policy both in the air and on public transit.”
Feinstein’s Letter To The FAA Demanding A ‘Mandatory Mask Policy’
The letter Feinstein wrote to the FAA stated:
“I write to urge you to implement a mandatory mask policy for all airport and airline employees and passengers as cases of coronavirus continue to surge. I ask that you issue guidance as soon as possible so passengers can have a clear understanding of the requirements and so that we may reduce exposure for workers and travelers alike.”
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a comprehensive strategy to protect oneself from exposure to coronavirus while traveling on public transit, including the use of a mask, since social distancing is oftentimes not manageable on a crowded bus, train, or plane,” the letter read.
The FAA and FTA need to implement a nationwide mask mandate immediately. The surge in coronavirus cases around the country makes it clear that we need to double-down on our efforts to slow the spread of this virus. Masks work. Wear them. https://t.co/8lW8UVxSOs
— Senator Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) July 1, 2020
Feinstein To FAA In July: ‘I Ask That You Issue Clear, Nationwide, Mandatory Mask Requirements’
Feinstein continued, “As the research regarding mask effectiveness continues to evolve, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its guidance on June 5th to specifically cite public transportation as an important part of these guidelines. Organizations, such as the Airports Council International, have said publicly that they would welcome such rules.”
“While some transit agencies and airlines have implemented mandatory mask guidance for the public, reports indicate that the patchwork of rules have only sowed confusion among passengers,” the senator added.
Then came the kicker.
Feinstein finished (emphasis added), “Therefore, I ask that you issue clear, nationwide, mandatory mask requirements for all aviation employees and travelers.”
Wearing masks in public should be mandatory. When the Senate takes up the next coronavirus economic relief bill later this month, I intend to offer an amendment to prohibit sending funds to states that haven’t adopted a statewide mask requirement. https://t.co/DvwiVr02Vo pic.twitter.com/2uqFyNAUL4
— Senator Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) July 16, 2020
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No Comment From Feinstein’s Office
Carlson said on his program Monday, “Well, given that, today, this show exclusively obtained photographs of — and this going to rock your world — Dianne Feinstein in a private terminal at Dulles airport, an FBO as they say in private aviation, on Friday.”
“In the photographs, Feinstein can be seen smiling without a mask on,” Carlson noted.
Carlson made the point that the photo showed “a pilot with a mask” who was “walking in front of her carrying a bag and a dog.”
Carlson’s staffers’ attempts to reach Feinstein’s office for comment were unsuccessful.
A nationwide mask mandate would help save lives until we have an effective treatment or vaccine for the coronavirus. Public health experts have been in widespread agreement on the issue of masks for months.https://t.co/YIm8FsidFB
— Senator Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) July 22, 2020