Katharine McPhee Criticizes Stacey Abrams for Photo without Mask with Schoolchildren: ‘The Hypocrisy Continues’

Despite a requirement, Katharine McPhee joined Stacey Abrams’ opponents in criticizing her for posing without a mask with a group of schoolchildren.

McPhee shared the now-viral image of Abrams, who is running for governor of Georgia, smiling without a mask while sitting on the ground with a classroom full of children, all of whom are wearing masks, on her Instagram Story on Sunday.

“What the actual hell… politicians at their finest. Mask up the children and you yourself sit without a mask. The hypocrisy continues,” McPhee wrote. “I’m sure she will say… ‘but I had my mask in my hand!’”

Abrams, on the other hand, had already reacted to the backlash the photo had sparked after Georgia Governor Brian Kemp joined several other conservatives in criticizing the candidate over the photo.

“It is shameful that our opponents are using a Black History Month reading event for Georgia children as the impetus for a false political attack, and it is pitiful and predictable that our opponents continue to look for opportunities to distract from their failed records when it comes to protecting public health during the pandemic,” a statement from her campaign posted to Instagram reads.

She further said: “This pathetic, transparent, and silly attack is beneath anyone who claims he wants to lead Georgia.”

As per Yahoo, masks have been shown to be beneficial in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, and the CDC recently told the public that while fabric masks are not recommended since they are ineffective in preventing the spread of variations such as Omicron, they are still preferable than wearing nothing at all.

As a result, everyone is encouraged to wear a mask indoors and outdoors where there are large gatherings. In fact, in the county, Glennwood Elementary School, where Abrams’ event took place, has a mask mandate.

Abrams visited the school this week to kick off the third annual African American read-in and meet with students and teachers. Dr. Holly Brookins, the principal, took to Twitter following the visit to post four photos on her Twitter account, which have since been deleted.