Chris Christie: Wear a mask "or you may regret it — as I did"

"[I]t was a serious failure for me, as a public figure, to go maskless at the White House. I paid for it, and I hope Americans can learn from my experience. I am lucky to be alive."

What else he's saying: Christie noted he had been "very careful about mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing," but he "mistook the bubble of security around the president for a viral safe zone." He said he was wrong. "There is no safe zone from this virus," he added.

• Christie wrote that wearing a face covering is "not a partisan or cultural symbol, not a sign of weakness or virtue."

• "It's simply a good method — not a perfect one, but a proven one—to contain a cough or prevent the virus from getting in your mouth or nose," he said.

Of note: Christie wrote in the WSJ article that he remains a supporter of the "rapid reopening" of businesses and institutions.

Go deeper: Christie says he was in ICU, admits he was "wrong not to wear mask" at White House