News Anchors Can't Stop Talking About People Mask Debating

As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, America has grappled with the challenge of preventing the spread of COVID-19. The political right, in particular, has been eager to get the American economy reopened after months of lockdown and has been resistant to the idea of masks being an effective tool against the spread of the disease (The CDC recommends masks as a way to stop COVID droplets from spreading to others). Meanwhile, others in the country have been very insistent on wearing masks, noting how other countries that have followed CDC guidelines and taken a serious, preventative approach to the pandemic have had much more success curbing the illness than America has.

To put it another way, you can say Americans across the country are mask debating.

If that phrasing raised your eyebrows, you're not alone. When said fast, "mask debate" sounds an awful lot like "masturbate." John Oliver pointed this out on the latest episode of Last Week Tonight, putting together a supercut of news anchors talking very seriously about the "mask debate."

The video spoke to the inner 13-year-old in the heart of many Twitter users.

The mask debate is getting out of hand. pic.twitter.com/Gv5nC6vmZB

— Roman Cabanac (@RomanCabanac) July 28, 2020

The American accent does not lend itself to the words ‘mask debate’. Must see. #maskdebate pic.twitter.com/9U2LgWFOJu

— Francis Collings (@fran_collings) July 28, 2020

Once you hear it, you can't unhear it… pic.twitter.com/5MJ6CuQegT

— M3thods (@M2Madness) July 28, 2020

‘A new video of a raging mask debate’ 👀😂 pic.twitter.com/zb31tGQRq5

— Rich Leigh (@RichLeighPR) July 28, 2020

The great Mask Debate is ragging in the US 😷🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/ekPkWoN65i

— RooStár 🏆🏆 (@IMAROOSTAR) July 29, 2020

-While working from home, I've mask debated upto 3 maybe 4 times a day. -…want to mask debate with local singles in your area…?-If you're mask debating with friends make sure you do it safely, ideally by wearing a mask. https://t.co/r4tEOUzqxt

— Martyn (@martyniiiii) July 28, 2020

The internet has several websites that have made mask debating as simple as stroking a few keys, so please, if you're going to mask debate, do so safely in the privacy of your home.