It is not clear whether a politician would avoid wearing a mask to protect a Mississippi politician. Hosemann had warned members about the possibility of Hosemann being photographed without a mask a day earlier. Tate Reeves was seen without a mask while visiting the Senate chamber, his old home – where he served as lieutenant governor for eight years. Reeves was not wearing a mask and he sometimes appeared to be questioning social distancing guidelines while he spoke with senators in the elegant Senate chamber. Yes, there was a photo of the event that Rogelio Solis, Associated Press photojournalist, took of Hosemann wearing a mask and Reeves in deep conversation. It was quite surprising, given that Republican Reeves has often gone out of his ways to agree with Thomas Dobbs, the state Health Officer, about the importance to wear masks at their almost daily news conferences to update on the COVID-19 pandemic. It is often argued that politicians should not ask their constituents to make sacrifices, such as wearing a mask or social distancing. Reeves wasn’t that person. Reeves, when asked about his inept foray into Mississippi’s Senate, said what most politicians are reluctant to do: essentially that he made mistakes. Although Reeves didn’t say “I made an error”, it was close for a politician. He said, “I would tell you that I tried to wear a mask ..,” whenever I went out in public, which is rare these days.” I should have worn a mask. It’s not mandatory. Although it’s not a mandate, it’s certainly more responsible. “Those of us who work in the public sector, government, have to take some risks. But no doubt I always have a mask on me and I probably should’ve had it on (while on the floor).” President Donald Trump has made the mask issue a political topic. He is more popular in Mississippi than many other states and promotes the virtues of wearing masks, while at other times ridiculing those who don them. Reeves, who could be called a Trump acolyte but has not said anything negative about masks in public. Some politicians and lobbyists at the Mississippi Capitol wear masks, despite the fact that extraordinary precautions have been taken to protect the building during the pandemic. While most people try to social distance themselves, many don’t. People who social distance themselves from others and those who don’t wear masks are often one and the same. In a building where communication skills are high and relationships are important, it is possible for some to feel distancing or wearing a mask. The Capitol is a great place for coronavirus growth because of the close proximity. It is important to wear a mask when visiting the Capitol, as well as at the grocery store. Most people simply go to the grocery store and buy their groceries. People spend time at the Capitol and make friends, share gossip and make deals. Reeves’ actions against this backdrop were a bit surprising considering he was a champion for mask wearing and seemed to be a sincere advocate of Dobbs plea to wear a masque. Reeves spoke at an earlier news conference about his “Mississippi Strong” mask, which he was given by a constituent. Dobbs spoke out about mask wearing, saying that if people do the simple things, they will be in a much better place than if they are stubborn for no reason. A cloth mask can prevent up to 90% of contagious diseases from being transmitted by someone who is contagious. Reeves then added that the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency had provided 2.25 million masks for the state’s 82 county. He said that it was a tremendous effort and that the masks were readily available in the communities to those who needed them. Reeves returned to Senate the next day, wearing a mask._x000D