GOP Rep, Florida Man Says ‘There’s Just No Need’ To Wear A Mask Around The Capitol

UNITED STATES - APRIL 13: Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., talks with reporters at the base of the House steps after the last votes of the week on April 13, 2018.  (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
UNITED STATES - APRIL 13: Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., talks with reporters at the base of the House steps after the last votes of the week on April 13, 2018. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
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A retiring Florida (congress)man said Friday that “there’s just no need” to wear a mask while milling around the Capitol.

CNN’s Manu Raju spotted Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL) on the House floor and around the Capitol grounds without a mask, at one point having a lengthy conversation within a couple feet of another man.

Yoho, a Trump ally who aligned himself with the Tea Party, told CNN there was no need to wear a mask because of “herd immunity.”

“Viruses do what viruses do,” the congressman told CNN.

Asked if he felt he was protected by herd immunity, Yoho responded: “I think the only way you’re going to get it is to get exposed.”

The congressman’s reasoning is a little cloudy.

Herd immunity occurs when so many people become immune to an infectious disease (through infection or a vaccine) that it slows the disease’s spread. The World Health Organization has warned that there is no evidence of developed immunity to COVID-19 after an infection, but infectious disease experts have said COVID-19 survivors are reasonably likely to develop some immunity to the disease.

The United States is far from achieving herd immunity with COVID-19, and doing so without a vaccine would cost a great number of lives.

“Humans are not herds,” one World Health Organization official reminded the human race this week.

A spokesperson for Yoho did not return TPM’s request for comment.

In December, Yoho said he was retiring at the end of his current term.

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Notable Replies

  1. Is anyone going to tell Yoho about YOLO?

    If so, don’t.

  2. Yoho is a real yo-yo.

    Okay. I admit it. I went for a cheap laugh.

  3. Unbelievable

  4. I will give it to you.

  5. What an ass. Glad he’s retiring.

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