Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney apologized after he was caught eating indoors at a restaurant in Maryland while residents of his city are forbidden from doing the same.
Marc Vetri, a Philadelphia restaurateur, posted a photograph taken of the Democratic mayor last week and wrote, “Glad you’re enjoying indoor dining with no social distancing or mask wearing in Maryland tonight while restaurants here in Philly close, suffer and fight for every nickel just to survive.”
Kenney then tried to defend his decision to eat indoors by arguing that the region of Maryland he was visiting had a significantly lower rate of COVID-19 infections than the City of Brotherly Love.
“I know some are upset that I dined indoors at a restaurant in Maryland yesterday. I felt the risk was low because the county I visited has had fewer than 800 COVID-19 cases, compared to over 33,000 cases in Philadelphia,” he said in a statement. “Regardless, I understand the frustration.”
Restaurant owners are among the hardest hit by the pandemic. I’m sorry if my decision hurt those who’ve worked to keep their businesses going under difficult circumstances. Looking forward to reopening indoor dining soon and visiting my favorite spots. https://t.co/Ki3lIZV8i4
— Jim #MaskUpPHL Kenney (@PhillyMayor) August 31, 2020
This is just the latest example of city officials taking advantage of their positions and flaunting the rules while punishing those who disobey them.
Right before the lockdown, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio visited a gym in Brooklyn after urging other New Yorkers to avoid public places.
And earlier this summer, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot got a haircut even though barbers and hairdressers were not allowed to open their businesses at the time.
And on Monday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was caught having her hair done in San Francisco, where salons are supposed to be shut down.
