Biden underscores the importance of wearing masks in the pandemic: “Be patriotic. It’s not about being a tough guy, it’s about doing your part…Don’t just do it for yourself. Do it for the people you love, the people you work with.” https://t.co/UMDctsZmsJ pic.twitter.com/93ySOrRwP5

— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 2, 2020

On the same day that the White House shares that President Trump tests positive for COVID-19, Biden speaks about the importance of wearing masks at a campaign event in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Biden says, “This is not a matter of politics. It’s a bracing reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously. It’s not going away automatically.” He goes on to say about mask-wearing, “Be patriotic. It’s not about being a tough guy. It’s about doing your part.” With these comments, Biden directly combats comments Trump has previously made mocking Biden for mask-wearing and implying that it is effeminate.