Why is nobody in the Amy Coney Barrett hearings wearing masks?

Question

I was watching the Amy Coney Barrett hearings yesterday (October 12; today is October 13th 2020), and I noticed how none of the senators present were wearing masks. In her address, Kamala Harris, while also herself not wearing a mask, noted how dangerous it was for the members of the Senate to be present for the hearing, given that Covid-19 is so prevalent that even the President himself, with all his security detail, could contract the virus. I presume that the senators are seated 6 feet apart in the hearing chamber (I couldn't tell based on the layout of the cameras), but I can't think of a good reason why they should not also be masked, as Senator Harris suggested, nor can I understand why the hearing could not be done virtually so as to restrict the contact that each Senator had with others.

Furthermore, when Judge Barrett was asked to speak, she was asked to remove her mask before speaking as well; although she was silent the whole time the Senators were making their opening statements, she was asked to remove her mask when speaking. All logic and public health advice seems to suggest the opposite should be the case: When speaking, one should wear a mask, as one may eject aerosols with their breath, but when silent one ejects fewer particles and therefore it's "safer" to not wear a mask when silent.

So my questions are, by most-least important (the top question is the main question; if this question is viewed as "too broad" then feel free to answer only the first one):

• Why were the attendants of the hearing not masked (what laws/procedures prevent this, or, alternately, was masking simply deemed unnecessary by the members)?
• Why was the hearing not done virtually (what are the stated arguments by the members)?
• Why, despite knowing the answers to the above 2 questions, did Senator Harris make an issue out of the health precautions in her opening address (this may require some opinion, unsure if there are any sources on this)?

Answer 1

Question: Why is nobody in the Amy Coney Barrett hearings wearing masks?

I watched about 8 hours of the proceedings yesterday and I came away with the opposite impression. It is true that most of the Senators asking the questions did not wear masks while at the podium. Each did wear a mask prior to starting their questioning and quickly put the masks back on for every break and after concluding their questions. Even Lindsey Graham donned a mask prior to his opening comments and then again when caught on camera walking the Halls of the senate on break. As was everyone in the Halls of the Senate Lindsey was walking past in the halls. Judge Barrett also had a mask she put on upon every break and at the end of the proceedings. While the proceedings were going on social distancing was also in place.

The Senate is packed with elderly members and a number of them have already contracted covid (At White House event?). 3 Senators are currently in isolation due to covid. The Senate may politically be somewhat in step with the White House. They are absolutely not in agreement on the covid prevention steps.

Mitch McConnell has publicly said he's avoided the White House for months due to their lackadaisical coronavirus practices.

McConnell avoids visiting White House over its handling of coronavirus "I actually haven't been to the White House since August the 6th," he says.

Answer 2

The answer to your two questions is that because the GOP controls the Senate, Republicans set the rules for the hearings and it is now Republican orthodoxy that COVID-19 is no big deal and wearing masks makes you look weak.

It's certainly likely that if Chuck Schumer was the majority leader, this hearing would have been held virtually and/or anyone in person would have been wearing masks. However, Mitch McConnell is the majority leader and so the hearings are in person with no mask requirement. You mention Judge Barrett taking off her mask before speaking, but you neglect to mention that she was instructed to by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-GA).

So, to answer your question: Republicans were not wearing masks because Republicans are invested in minimizing the significance of COVID-19 and there are no requirements to wear masks because Republicans make the rules in the Senate for now.

Answer 3

I am watching the confirmation proceeding now. The masks and social distancing rules were announced at the beginning and reiterated at least twice later. Nobody wears masks, Democrats and Republicans. It is not a partisan issue. Right now John Kennedy is speaking. He does not wear a mask. Before that Cory Booker was speaking, he did not wear a mask. Senator Harris was speaking from her home, so no masks, of course. Judge Barrett has a mask but does not wear it. The people (assistants) sitting behind the senators all wear masks.

Update: 8:15 pm. The hearing ends. Everybody puts on a mask and goes home.