Matthew McConaughey has spoken out about the need to wear face coverings amid the pandemic, telling anti-maskers that they do not away "identity and freedom". The 51-year-old Academy Award winner shared his thoughts on face coverings during his appearance on Carlos Watson's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rtsHNQeqAA">YouTube talk show</a>. Speaking about how society has become increasingly and needlessly divided, McConaughey used the topic of face masks to put his point across. "I think the best example, for my mind, this last year is the damn dispute over the masks that got politicized," the Dallas Buyers Club star said. [[youtubewidget||https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rtsHNQeqAA]] The actor then took aim at anti-maskers, saying: "Come on, man. I’m not believing you’re really scared of this little cotton thing. I’m not believing you really feel that takes away your identity and your freedom. This is a short-term inconvenience for long-term freedom." McConaughey concluded his point by saying: "There’s no data that says it’s not a good thing. There’s no data that says it’s harmful. Let’s all take one for the team here." The actor's comments come after <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/16/matthew-mcconaughey-texas-governor-run-488536">Politico reported</a> earlier this month that the McConaughey is considering a run for Texas governor - with the actor himself stating that a 2022 run is a "true consideration" <img class=" wp-image-12617892" src="https://img.vt.co/2020/10/6bff9541-pa-48455502.jpg" alt="US actor Matthew McConaughey speaks to media during a promotional event." width="568" height="378" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: PA Images]] According to Politico, McConaughey has quietly been making calls to a number of influential Texans to gauge whether or not he should throw his hat in the ring. But despite being a beloved star in his home state, the outlet adds that political pundits are skeptical that McConaughey can unseat Republican governor Greg Abbott - who <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/matthew-mcconaughey-masks-texas-governor-b1856849.html">will reportedly be running</a> for a third term. That being said, Austin-based GOP strategist Brendan Steinhauser told Politico that he is surprised more people aren't hopeful for McConaughey, adding: "Celebrity in this country counts for a lot [...] it’s not like some C-list actor no one likes. He has an appeal." In an interview with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show back in March, McConaughey confirmed his interest in running for governor, but added that his intentions have gone no further than just consideration. "What an honorable thing to even be able to consider. But that’s no further than that right now, sir," he said. <h6>Featured image credit: PA Images</h6>

Matthew McConaughey tells anti-maskers that face coverings do not take away 'identity and freedom'

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