Mark Meadows, President Trump's Chief of Staff, raised more than a couple eyebrows while visiting his home state of North Carolina last Monday, August 24.
While greeting supporters, video was captured of Meadows shaking numerous hands and kissing cheeks, all without wearing a mask.
WH Chief of Staff Mark Meadows is maskless, shaking hands and kissing cheeks at Trump's event in North Carolina. https://t.co/BEjEDMOD0G— The Recount (@The Recount) 1598299115.0
Mark Meadows is a disease spreader. https://t.co/6a2i1vIdHS— Barbara Malmet (@Barbara Malmet) 1598306796.0
Meadows's behavior goes against North Carolina's policies—the state issued a mask mandate to deal with spiking virus cases.
Fairly amazing that @MarkMeadows (61 yo) and other conservative politicians keep doing this when it cost Herman Cai… https://t.co/BdJj9NekpD— Clara Jeffery (@Clara Jeffery) 1598304620.0
Similarly brazen behavior lead to the death of prominent Republican Herman Cain, but Meadows seems unconcerned.
WH Chief of Staff Mark Meadows was videotaped without a mask, shaking hands, kissing cheeks, and touching virtually… https://t.co/kyIaEsAQq9— Duty To Warn 🔉 (@Duty To Warn 🔉) 1598305983.0
@therecount North Carolina key statistics: 155k cases, 2,560 deaths and new case numbers are trending upwards... sheer irresponsibility.— Hamish Taylor (@Hamish Taylor) 1598302159.0
The crowd took Meadows's lead, ensuring that their chances of spreading the virus were as high as possible.
@therecount Since Mark is from NC he should know we have a statewide mask mandate. I think I see one mask in that crowd.— Wes Walser (@Wes Walser) 1598304071.0
@NM_Che56 @therecount Nah, too clean for their taste.— Kari, just Kari✌🏽🤪🤟🏾 (@Kari, just Kari✌🏽🤪🤟🏾) 1598300528.0
@therecount But North Carolina is in great shape. Cases fell What? They didn't? They're up 25.4% in the past week?… https://t.co/jmNlq5mzg0— (((George Acs))) 🇺🇸We Defeated Nascent Fascism (@(((George Acs))) 🇺🇸We Defeated Nascent Fascism) 1598300118.0
Making matters worse, it seems many of the supporters who came out to greet Meadows were already vulnerable to illness due to their age.
@therecount Wow it’s a good thing that he and the people he’s shaking hands with and hugging aren’t in a vulnerable demographic.— Chick-fil-A Sauce Shortage Michael (@Chick-fil-A Sauce Shortage Michael) 1598299430.0
@therecount Come and get your covid! I got all the covid you could want. We got Handshakes and kisses. Share with a… https://t.co/IL1Zv2Wreb— Scott Squires (@Scott Squires) 1598300470.0
@therecount Let's face it that's what this 💩 show really is, a Trumplican rally. Republican party is dead. https://t.co/JTq2eLu9R5— Chappie the cat 🐱 Voted Biden/Harris (@Chappie the cat 🐱 Voted Biden/Harris) 1598300532.0
There's little doubt online that Meadows couldn't risk wearing a mask and annoying his boss, President Donald Trump.
Pure insanity as he desperately sucks up to the boss. COVID is rampant in NC. Mark Meadows is 61 years old and in t… https://t.co/ehdR5sDUyF— Peter Vroom 📫🌊 (@Peter Vroom 📫🌊) 1598372022.0
@therecount In case anyone was confused how seriously this White House takes the virus. #morons— Dave Lundy (@Dave Lundy) 1598299200.0
@therecount I’m in NC. This is why I can’t leave my house. NC has a statewide mask mandate. I keep thinking I will… https://t.co/VH8hPKXnRz— 💙 LoveWins! 💙 (@💙 LoveWins! 💙) 1598307181.0
Mark Meadows and many other Republicans continue to make it clear that, in their minds, "returning to normal" is more important than protecting their constituents from danger.