Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer called the death of former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain "a reminder" to wear a mask and "take corona seriously."
"He's one of the nicest guys I ever met. He just had this affability, this kindness, this hearty big laugh about him," Fleischer told Fox News anchor Trace Gallagher on Thursday morning. "I mean he lit up rooms where he was. He's just an enchanting man and it's a reminder, Trace, to all of us: take corona seriously."
"This virus, especially if you are elderly, if you have underlying conditions, it can kill you, and so people need to wear their mask," Fleischer declared, adding, "They just need to do the sensible things. We need to be smart."
Some commentators suspect Cain died after contracting coronavirus at a campaign rally in Tulsa from President Donald Trump. Cain was seen in photos not wearing a mask at the event.
Fox News White House correspondent John Roberts responded to the claim, saying all rally attendees who were close to the president received coronavirus tests prior to the event.
"As a Black Republican, he was somebody that so many people could just turn to, look to, and say, 'See, our ideas can be attractive across the board. We can be a party that's growing.' So you loved to hear Herman Cain's voice amplifying the Republican message, and he did it so articulately," Fleischer said.