Denver Mayor Michael Hancock (D) apologized Wednesday for his trip to Mississippi after advising residents to stay in place because of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Hancock issued a statement acknowledging that he had instructed people to “stay home and avoid unnecessary travel”. He said he had publicly announced whether his family had given up his usual “multi-household Thanksgiving,” but he should have shared that his wife and daughter were in Mississippi after her daughter took on a new job.
“As the holiday approached, I decided it would be safer for me to travel to see them than for two family members to travel back to Denver,” the statement said.
“I note that my decision caused a lot of disappointment for those who think it would have been better to spend Thanksgiving alone,” he added. “As a civil servant whose behavior is being properly investigated for sending a message to others, I apologize to Denver residents who consider my decision to be contrary to the instruction to stay home except for essential travel.”
“I made my decision as a husband and father, and for those who are angry and frustrated, I humbly ask you to forgive decisions that burden my heart and not my head,” he concluded.
The mayor has been criticized for reporting that he flew to Mississippi hours later Tweet recommendations that people “avoid traveling if they can” this year on Thanksgiving as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations increase across the country.
Earlier on Wednesday, Hancock spokesman Mike Strott said The Denver Post in a statement that there is no contradiction between the mayor’s instructions and his flight, as his family has changed his plans from a tradition of gathering up to 50 people.
“[Hancock] he told people to rethink their thanksgiving plans. He also said that if you travel to comply with health and safety guidelines and the mayor will continue to follow health and safety guidelines when you return.
Like the country’s leaders, Hancock warned against the big gatherings for the November holidays, saying, “We’re not going to sit here and say Thanksgiving is being canceled in Denver,” but people “need to think differently” about the festive gatherings.
He is not the only government official accused of hypocrisy after the California governor. Gavin Newsom
Gavin NewsomBiden: “Difficult decision” with the House of Staff Administration, members of the Senate. Don’t let the “experts” ruin Thanksgiving Day. (D) was convicted of attending a 12-person party after calling on people to avoid such gatherings. The governor he later apologized for its participation.
Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo
Andrew CuomoNew York City with the inclusion of COVID-19 checkpoints at bridges and intersections (D) changed his plans for personal Thanksgiving after retaliating that his 89-year-old mother and two daughters traveled to Albany to celebrate.
