Democrat Stacey Abrams is apologizing for breaking protocols after a photo of her not wearing a mask surrounded by children wearing masks went viral.
During an appearance on CNN’s “OutFront,” host Erin Burnett noted, “We’ve all seen the picture, we’ve all seen the coverage of the picture.”
She asked Abrams, “Did you make a mistake by taking a photo, maskless, in the classroom when it appears that everyone else, including all the children, were wearing them?”
Abrams responded, “Yes. I will say this, I went to read to kids for an African American read-in day. I approached the podium with my mask on. I followed the protocols. I told the kids I’m taking my mask off because I’m reading to kids who are listening remotely as well, and we were socially distanced, the kids were socially distanced from me.”
She continued, “I told them that’s what I was doing. And in the excitement, after I finished because it was so much fun working with those kids, I took a picture. And that was a mistake.”
Acknowledging “protocols matter,” Abrams added, “And protecting our kids is the most important thing and anything that can be perceived as undermining that is a mistake, and I apologize.”
Watch her comments below:
“Protocols matter. Protecting our kids is the most important thing, and anything that can be perceived as undermining that is a mistake, and I apologize.” @staceyabrams shares the story behind photo of her without a mask at a school event. pic.twitter.com/58s4HqL6tO
— Erin Burnett OutFront (@OutFrontCNN) February 9, 2022
In case you missed it:
Hypocrisy. @staceyabrams pic.twitter.com/FI8QDFyJwd
— Joey Jones (@Johnny_Joey) February 6, 2022
Laura Groh-Wargo, manager of Abram’s campaign, fired back at critics in a Twitter post.
“Our opponents took a brief break from licking Trump’s boots this weekend to issue baseless attacks, and it’s more of their typical dishonest, wannabe tough guy fodder to distract from their failures,” the post stated.
It continued, “It is shameful that our opponents are using a Black History Month reading event for Georgia children as the impetus for a false political attack, and it is pitiful and predictable that our opponents continue to look for opportunities to distract from their failed records when it comes to protecting public health during the pandemic.”