Donald Trump downplayed coronavirus pandemic in its initial stage and even refused to wear a mask, claiming it was discretional. The president refused to wear a mask even during his first in-person campaign rally after the lockdown in BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, but it looks like he had a change of heart.

Trump came up with what can be described as his strongest recommendation yet for wearing face masks in public places. On July 20, the president took to his Twitter account to urge people to wear face masks in public, tweeting that it is a patriotic action to take during the pandemic.

Aside from noting that America is working in unison to defeat the virus, Trump took this opportunity to promote himself as everyone's favorite president, adding that there's nobody more patriotic than him. In his tweet, Trump refers to COVID-19 as the "Invisible China Virus," despite facing strong criticism.

The tweet also features a black-and-white picture of Trump with a mask. This message from Trump that endorses the use of face coverings in public places comes after months of mixed messages on whether or not he believed they were a useful tool when it came to preventing the transmission of the virus.

With several states experiencing an alarming surge in coronavirus cases, politicians of both parties, business leaders, as well as Trump administration health officials have started wearing masks. Until his recent tweet, Trump has touted wearing masks as an option.

In a Fox News interview, Trump admitted that he doesn't think everything will disappear simply by wearing a mask. He was responding to statement made by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Robert Redfield and a White House coronavirus task force member, who claimed if everybody wore masks, the virus could be under control in a matter of weeks.

Trump told Fox that wearing a mask causes problems as well, but said he thinks masks are good. The president has largely refrained from donning a mask even in public, claiming that he doesn't need to wear it because everyone he comes in contact with is tested for COVID-19 before they approach him.

He refused to wear a mask in public settings throughout the pandemic, including during a visit to a Honeywell factory in Arizona that makes masks. Trump announced the CDC's new guidance that urged people to wear a mask in public areas where social distancing isn't possible but said he won't wear one while delivering the news.