A Democratic representative who has urged people to continue to wear masks was caught without one when he visited a New York high school a...
A Democratic representative who has urged people to continue to wear masks was caught without one when he visited a New York high school at the end of January - despite the state's mandates that masks be worn at all times in public schools.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a Democrat of New York, was pictured visiting New Rochelle High School on January 31, when he was visiting with high school students and discussing a recent murder within the community.
In the picture, Bowman is grinning ear to ear, as students around him are wearing face masks in accordance with New York State's mask mandate, which requires all students and staff to wear face coverings at all times except for designated 'mask breaks' and lunch time.
It remains in effect for all public schools as the Hochul administration seeks to appeal a state Supreme Court judge's ruling that struck down the mandate as 'unconstitutional.'
The City School District of New Rochelle later said it 'continues to enforce New York State's indoor mask mandate in school settings.'
And just a few days after the photo was taken, on February 3, Bowman also tweeted that everyone should continue to 'mask up, stay safe, and get boosted,' prompting at least one man to write: 'Make sure to follow your own advice and rules, sir.'
Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman, center, was pictured without a face mask at a recent visit to New Rochelle High School, despite the students being forced to wear one
Days after the picture was taken, on February 4, Bowman tweeted that everyone should 'make sure to mask up, stay safe and get boosted'
Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams was also criticized on Sunday for not wearing a mask at an indoor establishment.
Bronx Little Italy posted a photo to Instagram showing the mayor without a mask on surrounded by several chefs who also were not donning a face covering, saying: 'Earlier today, the Belmont [Business Improvement District] welcomed @nycmayor, NYC Council Members, @nycsmallbiz and @thenycalliance to Arthur Avenue to speak with our restaurateurs and the issues the industry is facing.'
Twitter user Libs of TikTok also shared a photo of Adams inside a business without a mask, as he stood next to Julio Gomez, an assistant principal in New York City schools.
Some on Twitter branded the new mayor a 'hypocrite' for doubling down on his support for masks in public schools after it was struck down by the state Supreme Court but before an appeals court ruled that it could stay in effect as the Hochul administration's appeal of the Supreme Court judge's decision moves forward.
He said at the time: 'We're going to continue our mandates in schools.'
But under New York State law, patrons at an indoor establishment may opt not to wear a mask if they are fully vaccinated against COVID.
Photos also emerged on Sunday of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, center, not wearing a mask at an indoor event in the Bronx
Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, center, sparked outrage on Twitter after she shared this picture of herself surrounded by dozens of children forced to wear face coverings at an Atlanta elementary school
With these revelations, Bowman has become just the latest Democrat to skirt mask mandates after preaching for them throughout the pandemic.
In early January, New York Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez revealed she had become infected with COVID-19 after she was photographed partying maskless at a Miami drag brunch. The state's governor, Kathy Hochul, and Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand have been photographed skirting New York's mask mandate.
Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and San Francisco Mayor London Breed were spotted breaking their own indoor mask mandate during the NFL Championship Game in LA.
And over the weekend, Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams sparked outrage on Twitter after she shared a picture of herself maskless while surrounded by dozens of children forced to wear face coverings during a visit to an Atlanta elementary school.
Abrams, who has been branded a 'mask fascist' on the social media platform, retweeted the photo of her visit to Glenwood Elementary School on Friday, before quickly deleting the tweet.
The 48-year-old Democrat had recently called Georgia Republican Governor Brian Kemp 'incompetent' for moving to block local mask mandates.
In Georgia, mask use is recommended both indoors and in public. Last summer, Kemp attempted to block local mask mandates. After easing his order in the fall, cities such as Atlanta, Savannah, Macon and Athens have reinstated citywide mandates.
Kemp took to Twitter to condemn his rival as he prepares for a likely showdown with Abrams in the fall.
'Stacey Abrams wants state government mask mandates for Georgians and their children. But it looks like they wouldn’t apply when she’s attending a photo op,' he wrote.
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