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Was Biden only world leader wearing mask during virtual summit on climate? Internet says ‘how embarrassing’

'The cost of inaction is mounting. This is a moral imperative, an economic imperative. Time is short, but I believe we can do this'

UPDATE: Fact-checking site Snopes says that President Joe Biden was wearing the mask probably to ensure the hygiene of those inside the room. Moreover, other world leaders were also wearing mask at some point or the other. For example, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi were seen wearing masks. Argentina President Alberto Fernandez, Indonesia President Joko Widodo, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering also wore masks during portions of the event. Also, Biden wasn't wearing a mask for the entire event.

People on the internet are making fun of US President Joe Biden after he appeared to be the only world leader wearing a face mask during a virtual climate summit hosted by the White House. On Friday, April 23, the 78-year-old had a meeting with several world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, German chancellor Angela Merkel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel.

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Biden started the two-day summit on Thursday, April 22, by launching a new pledge to cut US emissions in half by 2030. He said, “The signs are unmistakable. The science is undeniable. The cost of inaction is mounting. This is a moral imperative, an economic imperative. Time is short, but I believe we can do this. And I believe that we will do. Thank you for being part of the summit.”

During the meeting, Biden was praised and thanked by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates “for re-establishing America’s leading role on climate change”. “This is a promising moment. Climate activists and young people especially are bringing amazing energy and attention to this issue. They are demanding action and rightly so,” Gates added.

Biden started a 100-day mask challenge as he entered office in January to encourage the people of America to cover their faces to stop the spread of the Covid-19. He has always made sure to don one while appearing in public. Former CDC Director Robert Redfield also referred to masks as “one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus”.

But this time, during the summit, it seemed Biden took mask-wearing to another level. Despite the fact he was seeing everyone online, he chose to cover his face, which the people on the internet did not take well. One user tweeted, “Biden is the only one wearing a mask *indoors* on a *video* call with world leaders about climate change How embarrassing.” Another user wrote, “Biden on a zoom call with world leaders. He’s the only one with a mask on. What a damn embarrassment.”

“Outside of the hospital or medical setting ‘Masks’ are used as name describes..to hide behind, hide identity,, hide evil, hide incompetence, be your worst self, easy to hate, persecute thy neighbor when u can't see there humanity,” the third user said. A person noted, “Biden is an embarrassment and  waste, along with some congress folks that cannot quantify what will be gotten from our $2.5 Trillion. Crazy.”

However, there were some who suggested that Biden was donning a mask because there might be people with him in the room from where he was attending the meeting. One person stated, “Yes, so embarrassing to have someone adhering to his own policy of wearing a mask on Federal property, and helping to keep the people in the room with him safe. When you have nothing worthwhile to complain about, I guess you have to scrape the bottom of the barrel for outrage.” “It is unlikely that he is alone in the physical room. Besides, it sets a good example,” the second user added.