A maskless Pence visits Mayo

Vice President Mike Pence spent the day in Rochester on Tuesday spotlighting the work of Mayo Clinic in fighting the coronavirus global pandemic, but his message was undercut by his failure to wear a face mask, in violation of clinic policy.

From Mayo’s pioneering work on COVID-19 molecular and dynastic testing to its lead role in convalescent plasma trials, Pence hailed the clinic’s innovation, calling its 39,000 doctors, nurses and other employees “healers.”

“I will leave today inspired and encouraged that we are a step closer to reopening our country and healing our land because of the work you are doing,” said Pence at a roundtable featuring Gov. Tim Walz, Mayo Clinic CEO Dr. Gianrico Farrugia, and other Mayo doctors and scientists.

But Pence’s arrival on the Mayo campus was overshadowed by his failure to wear a face mask. When the vice president walked into Mayo Clinic, he wasn’t wearing a mask, although everyone else, including patients and doctors, was.

That was in violation of clinic policy requiring all visitors to wear a mask. It was also contrary to the advice he gave at the roundtable, urging people to obey the guidelines of elected leaders and health experts to prevent the spread of the virus. The incident blew up on social media, and Democrats pounced on his failure.

“By refusing to lead by example and help protect essential workers, Vice President Pence is telling the American people that his public image matters more than the lives of those on the front lines of this pandemic,” said Ken Martin, chairman of the state DFL Party.

A Mayo spokesperson said the vice president was told of the clinic’s masking policy.

Pence later explained that he didn’t wear a mask at Mayo because, as vice president, he is tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and so is everyone around him.

“And since I don’t have the coronavirus, I thought it’d be a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers, these incredible health care personnel and look them in the eye and say thank you,” Pence later told reporters.

It’s the vice president’s second visit to Minnesota since the pandemic hit the United States. In March, he visited 3M in Maplewood to learn more about the company’s efforts to ramp up production of N95 masks.

Pence leads the Trump administration’s coronavirus response team.

Democratic leaders said they expected Walz and Mayo officials to urge Pence to send the state supplies needed to administer thousands of additional tests each day. The University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic announced a partnership that could expand the state’s testing capacity to 20,000 each day. That broader testing regimen will be key to reopening sectors of the state’s economy, Walz said.

The Democratic governor has said he hopes to lead the nation in terms of COVID-19 testing and response to the pandemic.

But absent supplies needed to run the tests and protective equipment to guard health workers against the illness, efforts to boost testing capacity have so far fallen short.

“The lack of leadership from the White House has had a devastating effect on confidence. The president has said that states are on our own, and he tries to undermine the decision states are making,” State Rep. Tina Liebling, D-Rochester, who chairs the House Health and Human Services Committee, told reporters. “President Trump has said, ‘Liberate Minnesota.’ What we say is, ‘Liberate testing, liberating planning, liberate coordination, and liberate PPE.”

U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat representing Minnesota’s 3rd District, said he joined a call with Walz and the state’s congressional delegation Tuesday morning and the governor indicated a shortage in supplies was holding back Minnesota’s testing efforts.

“He is incredulous that we are ready to go with a massive testing program but still cannot obtain federally promised support, swabs and vials in particular,” Phillips said. “Access to swabs and vials and testing is imperative, and the federal government can and should be playing a role to ensure that. Anything short of that will only result in more delays and more loss of life and economic hardship.”

1/41: Vice President Mike Pence arrives on Air Force Two in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

2/41: Vice President Mike Pence gives a thumbs up to Mayo Clinic healthcare workers and visitors after touring Mayo facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the Gonda Building in downtown Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

3/41: Media prepare for the arrival of Vice President Mike Pence in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

4/41: Vice President Mike Pence stops to visit Mayo Clinic healthcare workers and visitors after touring Mayo facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the Gonda Building in downtown Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

5/41: Secret Service Agents prepare for the arrival of Vice President Mike Pence in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

6/41: Vice President Mike Pence arrives on Air Force Two in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

7/41: Mayo Clinic healthcare workers and visitors use their phones to record and get a glimpse of Vice President Mike Pence after the Vice President toured of Mayo facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the Gonda Building in downtown Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

8/41: Vice President Mike Pence arrives in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

9/41: Vice President Mike Pence gives a thumbs up to Mayo Clinic healthcare workers and visitors after touring Mayo facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the Gonda Building in downtown Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

10/41: Vice President Mike Pence arrives in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

11/41: Gov. Tim Walz waits for the arrival of Vice President Mike Pence in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

12/41: U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, of Minnesota's First Congressional District, waits for the arrival of Vice President Mike Pence in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

13/41: Vice President Mike Pence stops to visit Mayo Clinic healthcare workers and visitors after touring Mayo facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the Gonda Building in downtown Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

14/41: Mayo Clinic healthcare workers and visitors wait for a visit from Vice President Mike Pence after the Vice President toured of Mayo facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the Gonda Building in downtown Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

15/41: Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, of Minnesota's First Congressional District, and others walk out to Air Force Two to greet Vice President Mike Pence as he arrives in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

16/41: FedEx employees look on as Vice President Mike Pence arrives in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

17/41: Vice President Mike Pence arrives in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

18/41: Vice President Mike Pence responds to media questions while stopping to visit Mayo Clinic healthcare workers and visitors after touring Mayo facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the Gonda Building in downtown Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

19/41: Vice President Mike Pence elbow bumps Gov. Tim Walz as he arrives in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

20/41: Vice President Mike Pence talks with Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, of Minnesota's First Congressional District, and others as he arrives in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

21/41: Vice President Mike Pence waves from a vehicle after arriving in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

22/41: Vice President Mike Pence arrives in Rochester for a visit to Mayo Clinic to tour facilities involved in COVID-19 research and treatment Tuesday, April 28, 2020, outside the FedEx Ship Center at the Rochester International Airport. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)

23/41: Vice President Mike Pence visits Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

24/41: Rochester firefighters wipe down the firetruck before Vice President Mike Pence salutes the medical professionals at Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

25/41: Mayo Clinic professionals wait for the arrival of Vice President Mike Pence during his visit to Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

26/41: Security outside the Hilton building for Vice President Mike Pence visit Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

27/41: Vice President Mike Pence gives a thumbs-up to Mayo Clinic medical professionals during his visit to the clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

28/41: Mayo Clinic medical professionals photograph the arrival of Vice President Mike Pence during his visit to Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

29/41: A young girl awaits the arrival of Vice President Mike Pence at Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

30/41: Mayo Clinic medical professionals are screened before Vice President Mike Pence visits Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

31/41: Mayo medical professionals step outside to watch the motorcade arrive during Vice President Mike Pence visit Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

32/41: Vice President Mike Pence gives a thumbs-up to Mayo Clinic medical professionals during his visit to the clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

33/41: Workers take a break to watch the motorcade arrive during Vice President Mike Pence visit Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

34/41: Mayo Clinic medical professionals wait the arrival of Vice President Mike Pence during his visit to Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

35/41: Vice President Mike Pence gestures a thumbs-up towards Mayo Clinic medical professionals during his visit to the clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

36/41: Mayo Clinic medical professionals send off Vice President Mike Pence after his visit to Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

37/41: Vice President Mike Pence gives a thumbs-up to Mayo Clinic medical professionals during his visit to the clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

38/41: The science regarding the benefits of face masks is rock solid: You wear a mask to protect other people. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

39/41: Vice President Mike Pence waves towards Mayo Clinic medical professionals during his visit to the Clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

40/41: Vice President Mike Pence gestures a thumbs-up towards Mayo Clinic medical professionals during his visit to the clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)

41/41: Jessica Bates, recently relocated from Arizona to Rochester for a kidney transplant, holds a sign that says "Veterans Need Mayo" during Vice President Mike Pence visit to Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in downtown Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)