Denver mayor apologizes for vacation trip after advising residents to stay put

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock (D) apologized Wednesday following backlash for his vacation trip to Mississippi after advising residents to stay put due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hancock issued a statement admitting to asking people to “stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel.” He said he publicly announced how his family canceled their usual “multi-household Thanksgiving,” but should have said his wife and daughter were in Mississippi after his daughter took a new job.

“As the vacation approached, I decided it would be safer for me to travel to see them than to bring two family members back to Denver,” he said in the statement.

“I admit that my decision disappointed a lot of people who think it would have been better to spend Thanksgiving alone,” he added. “As a public official, whose conduct is rightly scrutinized for the message he sends to others, I apologize to the people of Denver who view my decision as being at odds with advice to stay home. home for all trips except essential trips. “

“I made my decision as a husband and father, and for those who are angry and disappointed, I humbly ask you to forgive the decisions that are carried by my heart and not by my head”, he said concluded.

The mayor was criticized after learning he flew to Mississippi hours later tweet recommendations for people to “avoid travel, if you can” this Thanksgiving year as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations pour in across the country.

Earlier Wednesday, Mike Strott, a spokesperson for Hancock, told the Denver Post in a statement that there was no contradiction between the mayor’s instructions and his flight as his family changed their plans from their tradition of gathering up to 50 people.

“[Hancock] told people to rethink their Thanksgiving plans. He also said that if you travel to follow health and safety guidelines and the mayor will always follow health and safety guidelines upon his return, ”Strott told the newspaper.

Similar to leaders across the country, Hancock warned of large holiday gatherings throughout November by saying “we’re not going to stay here and tell you Thanksgiving is canceled in Denver,” but people should. “Think differently” about holiday gatherings.

He is not the only government official accused of hypocrisy after the California government. Gavin NewsomGavin NewsomBiden: ‘Tough Decision’ to Staff Administration with House, Senate Members Don’t Let ‘Experts’ Ruin Your Thanksgiving The hazy math behind state and local bailouts MORE (D) was convicted of attending a 12-person party after urging people to avoid such gatherings. The governor apologized later for his presence.

New York Gov. Andrew CuomoAndrew Cuomo New York City to Add COVID-19 Checkpoints to Bridges and Railroad Crossings Don’t Let ‘Experts’ Ruin Your Thanksgiving Cuomo Reverse On Thanksgiving Plans In Person With Family MORE (D) changed his Thanksgiving plans in person after receiving backlash for saying his 89-year-old mother and two daughters were traveling to Albany to celebrate the holidays.