Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was heavily criticized for getting her hair cut while the rest of the city is under a stay-at-home order.
Lightfoot, 57, was pictured with her stylist after getting a haircut over the weekend. The photos went viral on social media on Monday.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Lightfoot acknowledged not practicing social distancing by getting the haircut, even as she shuttered her city’s hair salons and barbershops to slow the spread of the virus that causes Covid-19.
The openly lesbian mayor defended her privilege, saying she is a public figure who is required to appear in public often and she must be well-groomed for the cameras.
She stated that she wore a mask and gloves to get her hair cut (although she wore none in the photos).
“I think what really people want to talk about is, we’re talking about people dying here,” the Democratic mayor said. “We’re talking about significant health disparities. I think that’s what people care most about.”
She added: “The woman who cut my hair had a mask and gloves on. So we are, I am practicing what I’m preaching,” Lightfoot said.
