Democratic lawmakers launch ‘Mean Girls’-inspired initiative to promote face masks

They’re not regular members of Congress. They’re cool, mask-wearing members of Congress.

Democratic lawmakers launched an initiative Wednesday to promote the use of face masks amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic inspired by the movie “Mean Girls.”

“Excited to launch the #OnWednesdaysWeWearPink masks campaign today. I encourage all my colleagues to participate and support wearing masks to help prevent the spread of #COVID19. It’s going to be so fetch!” Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), who is leading the initiative, tweeted Wednesday.

Excited to launch the #OnWednesdaysWeWearPink masks campaign today. I encourage all my colleagues to participate and support wearing masks to help prevent the spread of #COVID19. It’s going to be so fetch! https://t.co/1loEFKi8Po

— Rep. Suzan DelBene (@RepDelBene) July 22, 2020

Dozens of Democratic lawmakers shared their own photos donning a pink mask or supporting the initiative on Wednesday, with some making their own jokes about the hit 2004 film.

“We all need to take responsibility for protecting our communities from COVID-19. The best action you can take yourself? #WearAMask. #OnWednesdaysWeWearPink,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) tweeted Wednesday.

We all need to take responsibility for protecting our communities from COVID-19. The best action you can take yourself? #WearAMask. #OnWednesdaysWeWearPink pic.twitter.com/k4set0Szma

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 22, 2020

“On Wednesdays, we wear pink… Don’t be mean. #WearAMask,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) tweeted. 

On Wednesdays, we wear pink…

Don’t be mean. #WearAMask. https://t.co/1ph8p8JIcY pic.twitter.com/Zk8iY3RXvH

— Steny (Wear a Mask) Hoyer (@LeaderHoyer) July 22, 2020

“I’m not a regular mom. I’m a cool mom because I #WearAMask,” Rep. Lucy McBath shared (D-Ga.)

I’m not a regular mom. I’m a cool mom because I #WearAMask. #OnWednesdaysWeWearPink pic.twitter.com/dOBxSFlOmr

— Rep. Lucy McBath (@RepLucyMcBath) July 22, 2020

 

I was told that on Wednesdays we wear pink…pink masks that is. #WearAMask pic.twitter.com/9x6gHJUXDU

— James E. Clyburn (@WhipClyburn) July 22, 2020

Get in loser—we’re wearing masks to save lives.#OnWednesdaysWeWearPink pic.twitter.com/ESSTy6hSJC

— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) July 22, 2020

Like, stop trying to make virus spreading happen, it’s *already happened,* wear a mask or you can’t sit with us. #OnWednesdaysWeWearPink #WearAMask pic.twitter.com/2kCWMLPCKl

— Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (@RepDean) July 22, 2020

Four for you Glen Coco. You go Glen Coco! And none for people who don’t #WearAMask #OnWednesdaysWeWearPink pic.twitter.com/2GxXjcSP1p

— David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) July 22, 2020

With millions of cases nationwide, we have ALL been personally victimized by #COVID19. Mask up & stop the spread of this pandemic. #OnWednesdaysWeWearPink pic.twitter.com/h9iFBhytj1

— Rep. Salud Carbajal (@RepCarbajal) July 22, 2020

 

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) also supported the initiative Wednesday.

Stop trying to make “fetch” happen.

Make masks happen. #OnWednesdaysWeWearPink pic.twitter.com/25SoEg0XGJ

— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) July 22, 2020

DelBene told ABC News that she and her staff wanted “to make it fun to wear one,” 

“It’s about helping your community, helping your neighbor,” the Washington lawmaker told the outlet.

She noted that she has passed out masks to several of her colleagues in the House. The Democratic Women’s Caucus, which includes all 90 Democratic women lawmakers in the House, is also helping to share the campaign.

DelBene said she hopes the campaign will “encourage younger folks to wear masks” amid recent findings from health departments across the country that younger people are making up larger shares of those infected with COVID-19.

“We know that more of the recent cases have disproportionally been younger people, so it’s more important than ever to wear a mask,” DelBene told ABC News.

President Trump on Monday for the first time tweeted a photograph of himself wearing a mask, describing the practice a patriotic act as the pandemic continues.

We are United in our effort to defeat the Invisible China Virus, and many people say that it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you can’t socially distance. There is nobody more Patriotic than me, your favorite President! pic.twitter.com/iQOd1whktN

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20, 2020

Trump for months resisted wearing a mask or face covering in public. He publicly wore one during a trip to Walter Reed earlier this month.

In April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that Americans wear face coverings to prevent the spread of coronavirus.