Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says masks prevent people from ‘speaking moistly’

Justin Trudeau has encouraged Canadians to wear a mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but appeared to instantly regret the way he did it in a speech on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister was speaking frankly about the virus, when he told viewers that masks would stop people ‘speaking moistly’.

He immediately backtracked on the gross turn of phrase – but it was already sparking online memes and jokes.

‘If people want to wear masks that is ok, it protects others more than it protects you because it prevents you from breathing or speaking moistly on them,’ he stated.

Trudeau, 48, then smiled and shook his head as he thought about what he had just said. ‘Oh, what a terrible image!’ he chuckled. ‘But it is actually something that people can do in certain situations,’ he continued.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outlined advice about people wearing masks

It wasn’t long before Twitter users joked about the PM’s turn of phrase.

‘Masks prevent you from ‘speaking moistly on them’ is the image none of us needed,’ tweeted reporter Kamil Karamali.

‘Speak moistly and carry a 2m stick,’ tweeted researcher Paul Fairie. 

‘Our prime minister said ‘speaking moistly’ on national television. I want this pandemic OVER’ added another user. 

Others posted pictures of cartoon character Daffy Duck, who famously spits when he talks.

It wasn't long before Twitter users joked about the PM's turn of phrase.

It wasn’t long before Twitter users joked about the PM’s turn of phrase.

Trudeau’s short address was televised by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and saw him encouraging people to remain inside. 

‘I am not a medical expert. What I have heard from medical experts is that the most important thing is for people to stay home,’ Trudeau said in his address delivered at noon on Tuesday.

‘If they do need to go out, the most important thing is to keep two meters apart and look to go out as minimally as possible.

‘We need to wash our hands regularly. We need to cough into our elbows. These are the things that we know will slow and arrest the spread of this disease through this country. 

Speaking from Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, Ontario, Trudeau said masks could protect people from 'breathing or speaking moistly' on others

Speaking from Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, Ontario, Trudeau said masks could protect people from ‘breathing or speaking moistly’ on others

Trudeau's wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, 44, tested positive for coronavirus last month

Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, 44, tested positive for coronavirus last month

‘Our focus though is making sure that people don’t think that wearing masks can mean that they don’t have to social distance as much or can go out more often. The advice remains, stay home and keep two meters apart.’ 

Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, 44, tested positive for coronavirus last month, but has since recovered. 

So far, more than 17,800 Canadians have tested positive for coronavirus. COVID-19 has killed 381 people north of the border.   

The advice from the U.S. Government over whether to wear face masks or not has changed over the past week.

At one point it was suggested that it was unnecessary for those outside of their home to be wearing masks but now people in the U.S. are being advised to wear face coverings when going outside or near others.

On Monday the World Health Organization (WHO) said face masks do not stop people from catching coronavirus.

A woman is seen wearing a mask in the Toronto subway last week. The WHO maintains the public should not wear them outside because there is still no proof they prevent infection

A woman is seen wearing a mask in the Toronto subway last week. The WHO maintains the public should not wear them outside because there is still no proof they prevent infection

The United Nations’ health body was forced to review new evidence from Hong Kong claiming mass-issuing masks may have helped contain the pandemic.

But the WHO maintains the public should not wear them outside because there is still no proof they prevent infection.

In updated guidance published on Monday, the health body said masks were only useful for healthcare workers and patients who test positive. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk