Rhode Island Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo is being criticized after she was spotted in public dining without a mask after she warned residents that they should stay at home and avoid nonessential activities.
Raimondo was photographed in public at a wine and paint event last Friday night, days after posting a message on Twitter telling residents to obey the state’s “pause” on social gatherings.
RI Gov. Gina Raimondo was caught maskless at a paint and wine bar, despite telling citizens to “stay home except for essential activities.” https://t.co/BGubThcsKx
— MRCTV (@mrctv) December 16, 2020
“It’s week two of our pause,” Raimondo tweeted on Dec. 7. “I know it’s been hard, but I want to thank every Rhode Islander who’s following our guidance. Please, stay home except for essential activities & wear a mask anytime you’re with people you don’t live with. Together, we can turn our case numbers around.”
It’s week two of our pause. I know it’s been hard, but I want to thank every Rhode Islander who’s following our guidance. Please, stay home except for essential activities & wear a mask anytime you’re with people you don’t live with. Together, we can turn our case numbers around.
— Gina Raimondo (@GovRaimondo) December 7, 2020
Raimondo’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner but told another outlet, “The governor had dinner at a local restaurant with her husband, and had her mask on anytime she was not eating/drinking.”
While some residents expressed support for the governor when asked about her outing, several also expressed sharp criticism, including one woman who responded, “Shame on you, Gina.”
The day after Raimondo was photographed dining out in public, Rhode Island’s Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott tested positive for the coronavirus, prompting Raimondo and other officials to quarantine themselves.
Raimondo joins a growing list of Democratic politicians who have been lambasted for violating their own coronavirus recommendations and restrictions.
The list includes California Gov. Gavin Newsom, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
