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If there's one thing the Republican Senator from Florida, Marco Rubio, knows its how to do, it's say something the internet will rip him to shreds over online.
This time, Rubio decided to try and insult the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Austin was visiting the Philippines where he arrived with a mask and face shield due to the rise in Covid variant infections.
Rubio took the opportunity to call Austin's pandemic precautions "embarrassing."
Our @SecDef is vaccinated But he arrives in the Philippines wearing a mask AND a face shield Embarrassing COVID… https://t.co/uuoydVnu6e— Marco Rubio (@Marco Rubio) 1627572248.0
What was meant to be a swipe at those who take the danger presented by the global pandemic seriously, instead was turned against the Florida Republucan Senator.
It was quickly pointed out the Philippines are experiencing a bad outbreak of the virus. The Philippine government has instituted mandates for everyone to wear full face coverage and shields while in public.
This is easily looked up or even asked about, rather than assuming a four-star general is engaging in "theatre."
From the embassy: "The Philippine government has mandated that everyone must wear full-coverage face shields togeth… https://t.co/DulPKHcXg4— Dave Brown (@Dave Brown) 1627576830.0
We were told prior to arrival in Manila that the Philippines required everyone getting off @SecDef ‘s plane to wear… https://t.co/QtKxiAQD9U— Carla Babb (@Carla Babb) 1627596609.0
Responses on social media wondered if Rubio just isn't a very smart man.
So @marcorubio went for a troll shot rather than seek the reason? That’s so hard to believe. https://t.co/OtsisO45zc— David Corn (@David Corn) 1627611052.0
Quite an amazing tweet from @marcorubio . Everyone in the delegation was given a shield and face mask prior to arri… https://t.co/qFpSlpVlVV— Idrees Ali (@Idrees Ali) 1627590042.0
What an embarrassment @marcorubio is for our country. Had he known what was going on in other countries, he would h… https://t.co/WQHDmnJFRo— Mary S 🌊 (@Mary S 🌊) 1627612597.0
The Manila capital region of the country is implementing a lockdown to try and control the spread of the viral pathogen that has killed 4.2 million people worldwide. While it's expected to cost the economy $4.18 billion it's seen as a necessary precaution.
Only 7% of the country is fully vaccinated with infections on the rise. On top of that, the Delta variant has been reported in over 200 cases.
This is why there are such strict measures in place, especially for foreign visitors.
People felt Rubio would be wise to apologize.
Sen. @marcorubio should apologize. It is obviously appropriate for US officials to follow the health requirements o… https://t.co/pWyBfuIauT— Laura Rozen (@Laura Rozen) 1627606474.0
Do you know how to say sorry @marcorubio https://t.co/DhgiX8d2MJ— Nadine Lorey Lockwood (@Nadine Lorey Lockwood) 1627590992.0
@CarlaBabbVOA @SecDef @marcorubio had an ounce of decency, he would apologize and remove the tweet. Not holding my breath.— Áine Ni Donnghaile ⚾☘🌳🇺🇸🇮🇪🍷💉 🇫🇷 (@Áine Ni Donnghaile ⚾☘🌳🇺🇸🇮🇪🍷💉 🇫🇷) 1627597456.0
@RAlejandro_DC @marcorubio Marco, will you please read? apologize? work on being helpful ? thank you— cindy lang (@cindy lang) 1627606582.0
Rubio can consider himself lucky the backlash was so mild compared to past incidents where he became the internet's punching bag for a day.
Earlier this year, an unfinished tweet sent out by the GOP Senator led to many using it to either call out his bad policies or flip-flopping opinion on former President Donald Trump, who he called a "con artist" before becoming a big Trump supporter.