Democrats on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis are threatening to ban Republican members who don't wear face coverings from participating in future face-to-face meetings.
The decision comes after Republicans in Congress have repeatedly ignored a requirement from Capitol health experts to wear face coverings. The situation came to a head on Friday when Subcommittee Chair Jim Clyburn reminded his GOP colleagues they were in violation of a the attending physician's mandate.
Clyburn is sending a letter to Republican Steve Scalise, House minority whip, saying that any member of Congress not wearing a mask will not be recognized in a hearing or meeting about the virus.
"Going forward, as long as the Attending Physician's requirement to wear masks is in place, I will not recognize any Member of this Subcommittee to participate in person in any Subcommittee meeting or hearing unless the Member is wearing a mask and strictly adheres to the Attending Physician's guidance," Clyburn said in a letter to Scalise.
The physician recommends that any member who will not wear a mask should attend the meeting remotely.
"For the United States House of Representatives meetings, in a limited and closed space such as a committee hearing room for greater than 15 minutes face coverings are required," Clyburn said.
"And we're not going to have another meeting in a confined space if we're not going to abide by this," she added. "I will stay in the safety of my home as I would ask all you to do."
Scalise responded by saying that House members are adhering to social distancing guidelines.
"I understand doctors might look at things differently and want to give even extra precautions, but the precautions that have been out there are clearly being followed," Scalise said.
It's a little disheartening that someone on the Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis doesn't take a doctor's advice seriously. Especially when his job is to help stop the spread of a virus that has already killed over 120,000 Americans.
"Why is it some kind of macho thing, like, 'if I don't wear a mask, I'm tough'?" Democratic representative Jamie Raskin asked during the committee hearing Friday morning. "If you want to be tough, go spend the day with the nurses and doctors in the hospitals."
Dozens of members of Congress have been quarantined because they've either come into contact with the virus or contracted it themselves. Representative Maxine Waters' sister died from the virus.
Unfortunately, the unwillingness for some Republican members of Congress to wear a mask echoes a sentiment expressed by conservatives across the country. A poll taken in the second week of June found that 60% of Democrats and about 34% of Republicans say they regularly wear masks in public.
According to a Health Affairs study released June 16, if the U.S. had adopted more aggressive mask policies as many as 230,000 to 450,000 COVID-19 cases may have been averted.
The decision to wear a mask has been politicized during the coronavirus crisis. Notably, the president has refused to wear one, signaling many conservatives to do the same.
"Trump had not made a point of not wearing a mask," pollster Chris Jackson, senior vice president for Ipsos Public Affairs, told Market Watch.
"Once he very clearly did not wear a mask in public, that transmitted a signal that if you're a good supporter of the president you don't wear a mask," he said.
However, COVID-19 is neither a Democrat or a Republican and strikes where it has the opportunity. So, as expected, the number of COVID-19 cases are on the rise in states where fewer people wear masks.
The Washington Post reported that seven states reached new highs for coronavirus hospitalizations last week, and only one is a blue state.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.