Greene claimed that masks are “unhealthy for their psychological, emotional, and educational growth” and “forcing boys to wear masks is emasculating.”
“Masculinity isn’t toxic nor dangerous,” she added. “Dem Socialism and shut downs are.” Greene included an image with her tweet highlighting low mortality rates among child Covid-19 patients.
Public health officials say masks can help prevent the spread of the virus, which has infected more than 6.3 million people in the US and claimed the lives of about 190,000, according to CNN’s latest figures. The CDC recommends that people 2 and older “wear masks in public settings around people who don’t live in your household and when you can’t stay 6 feet away from others.” The CDC acknowledges in its guidance that masks may not be possible in some circumstances that could exacerbate physical or mental conditions.
CNN has reached out to Greene for comment and has not immediately gotten a response.
Greene has previously embraced the QAnon conspiracy theory and has a history of Islamophobic and bigoted remarks on social media.
Greene, who has the support of President Donald Trump, is poised to be elected to Congress this fall after winning the primary in a solidly Republican district.
