Contradicting the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, President Trump stated that he expected a safe and effective vaccine for the coronavirus as early as next month, saying that the CDC director was “confused” about the development schedule, the Associated Press reports.
In a Wednesday media briefing, Trump claimed that the newly developed vaccine would be available for mass distribution soon after approval, speculation that is not supported by public health or pharmaceutical experts.
Trump also declared that he disagreed with Dr. Robert Redfield, the CDC director, about the effectiveness of masks in stopping the spread after Redfield testified before the Senate this morning, “I might even go so far as to say that this face mask is more guaranteed to protect me against COVID than when I take a COVID vaccine.”
The latest claims from Trump continue a string of fabrications, mischaracterizations and lies Trump and the White House have spread to reduce the public’s impression of the toll of the coronavirus and its dangers.