Mexico’s President Is Back — And Still Maskless — After Getting COVID-19

By Rodrigo Cervantes
Published: Monday, February 8, 2021 - 5:48pm
Audio icon Download mp3 (1.04 MB)

MEXICO CITY — Two weeks ago, Mexico’s president announced that he had contracted COVID-19. He reappeared in a press conference, showing no intention of changing his relaxed approach toward the pandemic. Mexico has had almost 2 million COVID cases and nearly 170,000 deaths. 

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador walked into a hall with reporters without wearing a facemask and was asked if he will ever wear one. 

His reply: “No.” 

López Obrador said he is not contagious. He said that Mexico is not an authoritarian country and that the federal government will never impose face masks or lockdowns. 

The president said he got sick despite being cautious and keeping social distance. But throughout the pandemic, he has traveled and attended meetings and massive events without doing so.

Vaccination began slowly in Mexico weeks ago, prioritizing health workers. López Obrador said that, unlike other presidents, he didn’t abuse his power to get a vaccine himself.

CoronavirusPoliticsFronterasMexico Sonora