Laura Loomer, the Republican candidate running to represent President Trump’s congressional district, denied wearing masks helps to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic in an interview out Thursday.
“I don’t think that the masks work,” Ms. Loomer told a CBS affiliate in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the controversial GOP activist is campaigning for the state’s 21st Congressional District.
Ms. Loomer, 27, reasoned that Mr. Trump recently tested positive for COVID-19, the contagious respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, despite being the “most protected” person in the nation.
She acknowledged Mr. Trump rarely wears masks, however, contrary to public health officials advising people to cover up while around others to prevent spreading the highly contagious virus.
People carrying the virus can transmit it to others — and without realizing they are infected — through tiny droplets expelled when they breathe. Doctors accordingly advise wearing masks in public.
Dr. Robert R. Redfield, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, previously said face coverings are “one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop” the pandemic.
Ms. Loomer, a self-described investigative journalist, is running as the Republican candidate against incumbent Rep. Lois Frankel, Florida Democrat, in the congressional race ending on Nov. 3.
She caused a considerable amount of controversy in the years before launching her long-shot House of Representatives campaign by making hateful remarks about Muslims and the Islam religion.
Mr. Trump publicly congratulated Ms. Loomer upon her becoming the Republican nominee, resulting in the White House previously facing questions about whether he holds the same beliefs as her.
Asked during the interview about previously describing herself to be a “proud” Islamophobe, Ms. Loomer claimed she was being ironic before quickly comparing the Quran with Adolf Hitler’s manifesto.
“I will have to respectfully disagree when the president says that Islam is a religion of peace,” Ms. Loomer told CBS 12 News.
Polling released earlier this month by St. Pete Polls showed Ms. Frankel leading Ms. Loomer in the congressional race by 28 percentage points.
Mr. Trump, a lifelong New Yorker, changed his primary residence last year to his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach County.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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