and the president asked about whether children are safe. as we now reopen the country. we'll guide you through it all. a busy wednesday night. we'll begin with jonathan karl. >> reporter: another sign of the times. vice president pence arrived at the white house today wearing a mask. he's been keeping his distance from the president since his press secretary tested positive. >> i haven't seen mike pence and i miss him. i guess we said for a little while we'll stay apart because you don't know what happens with this very crazy and horrible disease. >> reporter: this was the president's first public appearance since the stark warning from anthony fauci about states reopening without meeting federal guidelines. >> there is a real risk that you will trigger an outbreak you may not be able to control. >> reporter: the president bristled a bit when asked about that. >> look, he wants to play all sides of the equation. some governors and some perhaps partisans, maybe for election reasons, don't want to have their states open.