By: Leila Rocha
Hypocrisy is the foundation of superiority. The hypocritic mindset, “you can’t do this, but I can,” belongs to those who believe society should make exceptions to their wrong-doings. Hypocrites hover among societies across the globe. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, hypocrisy has been especially prominent. With debates over whether or not schools and other social gatherings should be canceled, masks should be worn, and vaccines should be mandatory, the exposure of hypocrisy has become quite common.
California’s governor Gavin Newsom exemplified hypocrisy several times during the pandemic when he was spotted maskless at places such as a Mexican Restaurant in Fresno with George Lopez, and more recently, at an NFL game in Los Angeles. Despite Newsoms encouraging Californians to take appropriate COVID-19 safety measures such as wearing a mask, he could not even follow these recommendations. However, next week Newsom will lift the indoor mask mandate for those who are vaccinated; except in k-12 schools.
Aside from Newsom’s hypocrisy during the pandemic, other influential people have also been proven hypocrites after they have encouraged COVID-19 safety, then proceeded with attending events without masks or social distancing. For example, at the 2021 met gala, attendees such as AOC walked the carpet maskless. This type of behavior is not alright. Why should people who have pushed for the enforcement of COVID-19 safety guidelines get to strut around a crowded red carpet maskless? A common excuse for this type of behavior is that ´everyone at the event was vaccinated.´ However, just because you are vaccinated, it does not mean that you are one-hundred percent immune to catching and spreading the virus.
Although the Omicron surge has gotten better, the hypocrisy that has emerged from the pandemic must stop. If you do not want to follow COVID-19 guidelines that will keep yourself and others safe, then you can be partly responsible for the spread of COVID-19. Being a politician does not make you immune to catching and spreading the virus. However, do not pretend that you do follow the guidelines and tell others that they must do the same.
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