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Twitter removes tweet from Trump coronavirus adviser that undermined importance of masks
(CNN)Twitter has removed a tweet from White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Scott Atlas that sought to undermine the importance of face masks because it was in violation of the platformās Covid-19 Misleading Information Policy, a spokesman for the company confirmed on Sunday.Atlas wrote in a tweet posted Saturday, āMasks work? NOā followed by a series of misrepresentations about the science behind the effectiveness of masks in combating the pandemic.
The tweet, which comes as coronavirus cases spike across the US, also linked to an article in the American Institute for Economic Research that argues against the effectiveness of masks, among other things.
According to Twitter, the policy Atlas violated prohibits sharing false or misleading content related to Covid-19 that could lead to harm.
CNN has reached out to the White House for comment from Atlas.
The message pushed by the controversial neuroradiologist goes against guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends people wear masks in public settings and when around people who donāt live in their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
Earlier guidance from US officials didnāt recommend widespread masking, but in April, the CDC recommended face coverings for the general public given that people without symptoms could unknowingly transmit the virus.
Masks are primarily to prevent people who have the virus from infecting others.
Atlasā tweet echoes President Donald Trumpās misleading claims about masks even as the US grapples with grim new spikes in cases. A federal official told CNN last month that CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield is concerned that Atlas is providing Trump with misleading information about Covid-19.