Kerby Anderson

One of the stories that keeps surfacing is how politicians who set down stringent rules for dealing with the coronavirus end up breaking their own rules. This has been standard fare for various conservative hosts. But even CNN hosts have been criticizing political leaders who cannot seem to comply with mandated guidelines. Brianna Kellar, for example, came down upon Democratic leaders like California governor Gavin Newsome, New York governor Andrew Cuomo, San Francisco mayor London Breed, and Denver Mayor Michal Hancock. After listing the politicians’ offenses, she reminded her audience that, “trust is built slowly, but it evaporates faster than reservations at a fancy restaurant.” She said that instead of criticizing a few Republicans who aren’t always wearing masks, perhaps they should “look in the mirror.” On more than one occasion, I have posted articles and discussed the harsh reality that many Americans are not taking the current pandemic seriously and are all too willing to violate mandates imposed by governors and mayors. One possible reason for that can be found in the obvious fact that many political leaders have been caught breaking their own rules. Gavin Newsome and London Breed tell us to wear masks and to maintain social distance from others. Then we see them shoveling down very expensive food at The French Laundry in Napa, California with no masks and sitting elbow to elbow. The mayor of Austin, Texas sends a message that we should stay home and try to keep the numbers down. He sends that message while he is staying in Cabo, Mexico. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Dianne Feinstein are both over 80 years of age. They’re in the target demographic group that should wear masks and be especially careful. Then we see them without masks in a number of photos. If these politicians want us to follow their rules, perhaps they should stop breaking the rules they impose on us.