Dr. Birx Meets With Health Officials, Suggests Wearing Masks Outside

White House Task Force Coordinator, Dr. Deborah Birx, made a stop this weekend in Oklahoma to meet with state and local leaders.

Gov. Kevin Stitt said they discussed everything from testing strategies for college and K-12 school settings to data trends from other states. He said Birx praised the state's testing plans.

Before the closed door meeting, Birx took time and visited an assisted living center in Owasso.

Health providers in the meeting said Birx suggested that masking should happen even when someone is outside.

After her visit, she sent the governor’s office the following statement:

“We reviewed the data with Governor Stitt and his team to ensure a joint understanding of the fragile improvements and the clear need to ensure that we further drive down ongoing community transmission, and we protect those vulnerable individuals throughout Oklahoma. By following common sense safety measures, measures grounded in science and driven by data, together we will slow the spread of the virus.”