They survived D-Day and Iwa Jima and all other kinds of horrors that I wouldn’t be tough enough to face, but on the 75th Anniversary of VE Day in Europe, Defense Secretary Mark Esper violated a number of public health protocols, including not utilizing social distancing nor a mask, when paying his respects to World War II vets today, all of whom were 96-100 years old.

According to Mediaite:

During a Friday event marking the 75th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe, recorded on video by the Washington Post, Esper wore no mask as he approached the elderly veterans and, barehanded, gave them “challenge coins.” While the veterans were spread out in their seats during the ceremony, they later mingled with Esper and other administration officials for photographs, often standing shoulder to shoulder, much closer than the minimum six feet recommended to prevent the potential spread of the Covid-19 virus. None of them were wearing masks.

I would love a chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with these men, it would be the only way that I could ever even “stand among” people like that, but I believe I would respect them enough to not even put them through the stress of worrying that I’d been tested recently.

Indeed, Secretary Esper had been tested recently, but we’ve recently gotten a lesson in how quickly the virus can move:

Both Esper and the veterans were tested and shown to be negative for the virus before the event. However, vice presidential aide Katie Miller tested negative on Thursday morning, but the White House then revealed that she had tested positive just 24 hours later. And one of Trump’s personal White House valets also tested positive for the coronavirus this week. Asymptomatic spread is one of the key reasons behind public heath officials promoting social distancing guidelines.

Beyond the biological reality, how about just “common courtesy”? I am sure that these men, meeting with some high cabinet official, might feel reluctant to say something about wanting to stand back (I would), so why not just put them at ease and do it himself?

Because this is the Trump administration, that’s why. And the Trump administration doesn’t want the country to see any indication that we’re in an epidemic, not when the cameras are on.

Nothing to see here. But when push comes to shove and their lives are on the line, the White House is now testing daily. Good for me, but not for thee, huh?

Again, it’s the story of the Trump administration.

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Peace, y’all

Jason

[email protected] and on Twitter @MiciakZoom