Twitter blocks tweet from Trump adviser downplaying masks

NEW YORK (AP) — Twitter has blocked a post from an adviser to President Donald Trump who suggested that masks do not work to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Scott Atlas joined the White House in August as a science adviser.

He had tweeted “Masks work? NO.” The post said widespread use of masks is not supported. It was blocked Sunday.

A Twitter spokesperson says the tweet violated a company policy that prohibits sharing false or misleading misinformation about COVID-19.

In such cases, Twitter disables the account until its owner deletes the post in question.

Atlas called Twitter’s action censorship.