Denver Mayor Michael Hancock (Democrat) apologized Wednesday after a backlash over his vacation travel to Mississippi after advising residents to stay put due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hancock released a statement saying he acknowledged that he had instructed people to “stay home and avoid unnecessary travel.” He said he publicly announced how his family had canceled the usual “multi-family Thanksgiving,” but had to share that his wife and daughter were in Mississippi after his daughter took a new job.
He said in the statement: “With the approaching vacation, I decided that traveling to see them would be safer for me than the return of two people to Denver.”
He added, “I realize that my decision disappointed many who thought it was better to spend Thanksgiving alone.” “As a government employee, his behavior is properly vetted due to the message he sends to others. I apologize to Denver residents who see my decision as contrary to our stay-at-home guidelines for all trips except essential travel.”
He concluded, “I made my decision as a husband and father, and for those angry and disappointed, I humbly ask you to forgive the decisions that my heart and not my head carry.”
The mayor received criticism after he reportedly traveled to Mississippi hours later Tweet off the recommendations For people to “avoid travel, if you can” this year to celebrate Thanksgiving with the increase in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations across the country.
Earlier Wednesday, Mike Strutt, a spokesman for Hancock, said: He told the Denver Post In a statement that there is no contradiction between the mayor’s instructions and his trip as his family changed their plans from their tradition of gathering up to 50 people
“[Hancock] People were asked to rethink their Thanksgiving plans. “If I travel to follow health and safety guidelines, the mayor will continue to follow health and safety guidelines upon his return,” Strutt told the newspaper.
Like leaders across the country, Hancock warned of large holiday gatherings throughout November, saying, “We’re not going to sit here and tell you that Thanksgiving has been canceled in Denver,” but people should “think differently” about holiday gatherings.
He is not the only government official to have been accused of hypocrisy after the California governor. Gavin NewsomGavin Newsom Biden: A “tough decision” to manage staff with the House and Senators Don’t let the “experts” spoil your Thanksgiving. The mysterious math behind state and local rescue operations More (D) faced conviction for attending a party of 12 after urging people to avoid such gatherings. Governor I apologize later To his presence.
New York Governor. Andrew Como
Andrew Cuomo New York City to add COVID-19 checkpoints at bridges and crossings Don’t let ‘experts’ spoil your Thanksgiving Cuomo reflects your personal Thanksgiving plans with family More (Dr) He changed his Thanksgiving plans After he received backlash for saying that his 89-year-old mother and two daughters were traveling to Albany to celebrate the holiday.
