- 14 Nov 2020 02:21
#15136614
And some more of the usual "do as we say, not as we do":
Gavin Newsom attends Napa party despite lecturing citizens who 'get together outside' during virus
Chicago mayor denies virus hypocrisy claim over joining pro-Biden street party: 'Relief' was needed
Apparently, it hasn't occurred to Lightfoot that people might "need to have a relief and come together" with family for Thanksgiving. It has, after all, "been a super hard year on everyone."
Gavin Newsom attends Napa party despite lecturing citizens who 'get together outside' during virus
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is raising eyebrows with his attendance at a Napa County birthday party, given his criticism of citizens who “get together outside of their household cohorts” during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Democrat chastised Californians on Monday for “letting their guard down on Monday” despite attending the posh French Laundry restaurant on Nov. 6.
“Is this a major breach by Newsom? No. But it’s not the best judgment. He has to be the grownup in the room. And he has to be the one that people model. That’s what comes with the responsibility of being a leader,” John Swartzberg, an infectious disease expert and a clinical professor emeritus at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, told the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday.
The newspaper noted that “at least 12 people” gathered at the Napa event for a friend and adviser to Mr. Newsom.
Nathan Click, communications director for Newsom, defended Mr. Newsom‘s decision as “in line with the state’s rules for restaurant operation.”
Mr. Swartzberg wasn’t swayed by the rationale.
“The idea that it’s OK to do that because it’s at a restaurant is upside down,” Mr. Swartzberg told the newspaper. “Whether or not it abides the letter of the guidance, I think it’s not a good idea.”
Reporter Alexi Koseff noted that California Department of Public Health issued guidelines Oct. 9 prohibiting private gatherings that include more than three households.
“The state also requires that gatherings be held outside, where virus transmission is less likely, and recommends that they be kept to two hours or less,” Mr. Koseff reported.
Chicago mayor denies virus hypocrisy claim over joining pro-Biden street party: 'Relief' was needed
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says her recent attendance at a street party celebrating presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden’s victory doesn’t make her guilty of coronavirus hypocrisy because the event brought “relief” to so many people.
The Democrat’s comments come less than 24 hours after she announced a stay-at-home advisory for the Windy City starting Monday.
Citizens are urged to “stop having guests over — including family members you do not live with” and to “cancel traditional Thanksgiving plans” to “bend the curve” of new COVID-19 cases.
“What do you say to those who are criticizing you where less than a week ago, you went out and stood before a massive crowd who was celebrating Joe Biden’s victory, and now you’re saying your city has to shut down? How do you have one and not the other?” MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle asked the mayor Friday morning.
“I will tell you, in that big crowd a week ago, we had — everybody was wearing masks,” Ms. Lightfoot replied. “Mask compliance in our city is actually up very, very high. But yes, there are times when we actually do need to have a relief and come together. And I felt like that was one of those times. That crowd was gathered whether I was there or not. But this has been a super hard year on everyone.”
Ms. Lightfoot told constituents that Chicago is expected to have 1,000 new coronavirus-related deaths by the end of the year.
The city is also experiencing roughly 1,900 new cases per day.
Apparently, it hasn't occurred to Lightfoot that people might "need to have a relief and come together" with family for Thanksgiving. It has, after all, "been a super hard year on everyone."
Society cannot exist, unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere; and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without.
—Edmund Burke
—Edmund Burke