WATCH: CDC Head Says if Everyone Wore a Mask 'We Could Drive This Epidemic to the Ground'

CDC Head Redfield (GETTY)
Photo credit Getty
Despite ongoing arguments and conspiracy theories over the use and effectiveness of face-coverings to stymie the transmission of COVID-19, Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Robert Redfield, made himself very clear when he said,  "over the next six weeks we could drive [the virus> into the ground."

CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield: “If all of us would put on a face covering now for the next 4-6 weeks, we could drive this epidemic to the ground.” pic.twitter.com/VCxLtn7lMB

— The Recount (@therecount) July 13, 2020

Redfield made his comments during a media session in a county in North Carolina Monday, where there are more than seven times the number of positive COVID-19 cases than in any other in the state.

Monday marked the third straight day in which the U.S. stacked up 60,000+ new cases. 

Florida surpassed its previous one-day record for coronavirus deaths Tuesday and Britain and France announced they will require people to wear masks in public indoor spaces, amid rising global fears about a resurgence of the pandemic.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos assailed plans by some local districts to offer in-person instruction only a few days a week and said schools must be “fully operational” even amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Florida reported 132 additional deaths, topping the previous record for the state set just last week. The figure likely includes deaths from the past weekend that had not been previously reported.

All this while officials across the country are debating whether or not to reopen schools