NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday released a PSA encouraging Americans to wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19, based on his own experience with the potentially-deadly virus.
Christie, 58, checked himself into a New Jersey hospital in October after testing positive for COVID-19.
He believes he contracted the virus at the White House.
"This message isn't for everyone, it's for all those people who refuse to wear a mask," he says in the ad. "You know, lying in isolation in ICU for seven days, I thought about how wrong I was to remove my mask at the White House. Today, I think about how wrong it is to let mask wearing divide us, especially as we now know you're twice as likely to get COVID-19 if you don't wear a mask. Because if you don't do the right thing, we could all end up on the wrong side of history. Please, wear a mask."
I am very happy today for this ad to start to run on TV across America. I urge all Americans to learn from my experience and to, please, wear a mask and stay safe. pic.twitter.com/DGmOValDJo
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) December 16, 2020
Christie was among several associates of President Donald Trump to test positive for the virus following the president's COVID-19 diagnosis.
Days earlier, Christie had been at the White House to help Trump prepare for a debate against Joe Biden.
Trump's prep team also included former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, who also tested positive for COVID-19.
Christie also attended a Rose Garden ceremony for the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Sens. Thom Tillis and Mike Lee also tested positive after attending the White House event, where many were seen not wearing masks and not social distancing.
Christie told George Stephanopoulos on "Good Morning America" in October that he had been careful for seven months because of his asthma, but then let his guard down for a couple of days and it cost him "in a significant way."
CNN reports the TV spot will air over the next two weeks on Fox News Channel, Newsmax and SiriusXM Radio.
