Former President Barack Obama asked Americans to be "smart" and "listen to the experts" during the July 4th weekend in a tweet on Friday.
"This holiday weekend, let’s be safe and smart. It’s going to take all of us to beat this virus. So wear a mask. Wash your hands. And listen to the experts, not the folks trying to divide us. That's the only way we’ll do this—together," Obama tweeted on Friday. His tweet also contained a link to a New York Times article headlined: "Honor America’s birthday (safely) in 2020."
Obama's tweet seemed to be alluding to President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to speak to a crowd of thousands in South Dakota at Mount Rushmore for the Independence Day celebration. That event will include a $600,000 fireworks display.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said that officials will be handing out masks to attendees, however, wearing them is not required. She also said social distancing isn't recommended for the event.
Both are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
"Those who want to come and join us, we will give out free masts if they choose to wear one, but we won't be social distancing. We are asking them to come be ready to celebrate, to enjoy the freedoms and the liberties we have in this country, and to talk about our history. And what it brought us today was an opportunity to raise our kids in the greatest country in the world," Noem said on Fox News this Tuesday.
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