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Republican Politician Suffers Coughing Fit During 'Mask Optional' Event

Republican Politician Suffers Coughing Fit During 'Mask Optional' Event

Glenn Grothman was speaking at the party convention in Wisconsin when he started spluttering

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

A Republican politician was caught on camera suffering from a coughing fit during a 'mask optional' event in Wisconsin.

Glenn Grothman, a congressman for the state, was addressing the GOP convention on Saturday (11 July) when he started spluttering.

In a clip that was shared online, the 65-year-old says: "It's time to talk about Donald John Trump."

He then seems to get a tickle in his throat as he starts coughing profusely, with a swell of nervous laughter sweeping across the audience.

Eventually he manages to catch his breath, saying: "Yup. Okay."

Ahead of the convention, the Republican party urged those who had been feeling unwell or had symptoms of Covid-19 not to attend.

It also assured those attending that face masks would be made available for those who wished to wear them.

Rep Congressman Glenn Grothman started coughing during a convention this weekend.
Wisconsin Eye

The note read: "As with any public activity, there are risks assumed. By attending the RPW State Convention, you acknowledge and assume any potential risk and liability for your own health."

This comes after Donald Trump finally wore a face mask in public.

The US President was seen visiting Walter Reed military hospital outside Washington on Saturday (11 July) with a navy blue face covering.

As he was leaving the White House, he said there were occasions where face masks were useful.

He told the press: "I've never been against masks but I do believe they have a time and a place.

"I think when you're in a hospital, especially in that particular setting, where you're talking to a lot of soldiers and people that, in some cases, just got off the operating tables, I think it's a great thing to wear a mask."

Donald Trump has finally worn a face mask in public.
PA

Trump previously wore a mask during a private tour of a Ford factory, but took it off as he came outside as he didn't want to give the press 'the pleasure' of seeing him wearing one.

However, this represents a sea change from Trump's previous thoughts on the importance of wearing face coverings and comes as the US recorded 66,528 cases of Covid-19 on Saturday (11 July).

According to the latest figures, around 137,000 people have now sadly died in the US as a result of the disease.

Currently, almost half of US states order residents to wear masks while out in public.

The states that now require coverings to be worn, include Connecticut, New York, Delaware, Illinois, New Mexico, Kansas, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Maine, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, Michigan, Maryland, California, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, West Virginia and Louisiana.

Featured Image Credit: Wisconsin Eye

Topics: Coronavirus, US News