Psaki Battles Newsmax’s Emerald Robinson Over Cloth Masks: ‘I Think You’re Confusing a Few Things’

Newsmax White House correspondent Emerald Robinson and White House press secretary Jen Psaki feuded on Friday over people wearing cloth masks amid the surge in coronavirus cases.

During the White House press briefing, Robinson mentioned Education Secretary Miguel Cardona’s response on Thursday to Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s executive order prohibiting mask mandates in schools, saying, as Robinson put it, “We know what works.”

Robinson then cited former Biden COVID-19 adviser Michael Osterholm, who said on CNN on Monday, “We know today that many of the face cloth coverings that people wear are not very effective in reducing any of the virus movement in or out.”

“We need to talk about better masking,” he continued. “We need to talk about N-95 respirators, which would do a lot for both people who are not yet vaccinated or not previously infected.”

Upon Robinson mentioning Osterholm as “one of the president’s top COVID advisers,” Psaki interjected with “who’s not a current adviser to the president.”

“But was,” replied Robinson. “Still notable, right?”

Following her summarizing Osterholm’s remarks on CNN, Robinson said, “That’s sort of in line with the study that Governor DeSantis is citing as the basis for his executive order.”

Psaki interjected, “I think you’re confusing a few things there, but let me first say that Osterholm is not an adviser to the president, to the administration, to the White House, he doesn’t work here. He’s a private citizen and … a public health expert.”

“But a lot of public health experts are out there speaking and good for them,” she continued. “I will say that we are going to continue to rely on the advice of medical experts in the federal government on what kind of masks we all should wear. What kind of masks kids should wear. If they change that advice, then the Department of Education will be working with schools to make sure that’s implemented as a mitigation measure.”

Psaki went on to say, “The issue we have taken with the guidance of Governor DeSantis which he, of course, is fundraising off of, I think we should note, is that he is preventing schools and teachers and others from protecting themselves and the students in their classroom. And as a mother myself that’s concerning and I’m sure it’s concerning to mothers in Florida.”

Robinson tried to respond, but Psaki said, “I think we’re going to have to continue.” Picking on the next reporter, Psaki said, “Go ahead. I think we’ve got to continue. Go ahead.”

“You had a very long question,” Psaki told Robinson. “We’ve got to continue.”

“Go ahead,” Psaki told the next reporter.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Emerald, we’re going to continue,” said Psaki, causing Robinson to give up.

Watch above, via CSPAN.