The questions continue for Gov. J.B. Pritzker who gleefully appeared maskless in a photo with legislative leaders toasting at an English pub.
Pritzker, who is one of the few governors relying on mask mandates, was in London as part of a contingent traveling to the United Nations summit of green energy.
Critics have been lambasting Pritzker since the photo was posted.
Northfield Township Committeeman TJ Brown said Prizker’s behavior unfortunately is nothing news for someone who has pursued some of the most aggressive masks mandates.
“JB Pritzker does not limit his flouting of the mask rules to the times he leaves Illinois to go pub hopping with Chris Welch and Don Harmon in London, or when he goes to his compound in Lake Geneva, or when he goes to his vacation home in the West Berlin of the Sun Belt,” Brown said.
Brown’s reference to Florida as “West Berlin” is due to the state’s open attitude, having relaxed masking and other restrictions in June 2020.
Pritzker has an estate in Wellington, Florida where his daughter Teddi has been spotted repeatedly out and about taking advantage of the state’s lax policies.
“I have seen him flout the mask rule in Illinois. In schools, in crowded gatherings, at Democrat fundraisers,” Brown said. “At schools, children and teachers are not afforded the courtesy of being able to remove their masks when they speak so that others can better understand them. At schools, they limit the number of people in a classroom or in an assembly. At schools, they tell students to eat quickly, limit their conversation while eating, and then put their masks back on. When JB Pritzker came to the Glen Club in Glenview, a large number of attendees were able to converse while eating (or simply keeping their meals in front of them), speakers removed their masks at the lectern, and others removed masks to pose for photos.”
Brown said the science behind masking does not stand up to scrutiny now that there is a better understanding of COVID.
“The main factor in determining spread of COVID-19 appears to be seasonality and not mask usage. However, Governor JB Pritzker has decided he must do something. Thus the mask mandates remain in place here,” he said.
“Wearing masks for long periods of time is impractical, it impairs communication, it frays relationships. It is very uncomfortable for many people -- and I am sure some people don't mind it and some people like it, but that is besides the point.”
Before heading to London Pritzker noted he did not know when mandatory masking would be lifted, effectively meaning wearing masks is indefinite.
“I have driven children long distances, so I understand the refrain ‘Are we there yet?’ can get irritating,” Brown said. “However, we need to know what "there" is and how temporary the governor plans on making these restrictions. Pritzker can't answer these questions, however, not because they're impossible questions to answer but he's indecisive, and loosening the restrictions will make him lose face in his mind.”
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