San Francisco Mayor London Breed Defends Going Maskless After Violating COVID Guidelines

San Fransico Mayor London Breed believes people are overacting to a video of her maskless at a nightclub, which violates the city’s COVID-19 guidelines for indoor venues.

The mayor attempted to defend her actions after a video of her maskless while attending a live performance by the R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! at Black Cat Club began circulated online last week.

Current COVID-19 guidelines for indoor venues in San Francisco require attendees to remain masked unless actively eating or drinking.

Although Breed, a Democrat, was recorded maskless while dancing along to the performance, she insisted she was actively drinking and everyone at the venue was vaccinated.

“My drink was sitting at the table,” she said. “I got up and started dancing because I was feeling the spirit, and I wasn’t thinking about a mask.”

Breed maintained that she was following the guidelines set by health officials but was not going to take extreme measures to abide by them.

“No. I’m not going to sip and put my mask on, sip and put my mask up, eat and put my mask on,” said Breed. “While I’m eating and drinking, I’m gonna keep my mask off.”

In a different interview, Breed reflected on how the guidelines should be interpreted, saying, “The reality of what we’re asking people to do is go out, enjoy our city, but also be mindful that COVID is still out there.”

Ultimately, Breed said she thinks the focus should be on the group’s music rather than her lack of a mask.

“We don’t need the fun police to come in and micromanage and tell us what we should or shouldn’t be doing,” she said.

However, Breed has continued to receive criticism for her actions by residents and business owners who have strictly followed the COVID-19 health guidelines set by officials.

“If she didn’t wear the mask then nobody has to wear a mask. Actually, I’m going to take mine off right now,” Santo Esposito, the owner of il Cilentano restaurant, told ABC 7.

Esposito noted it was unfair that Breed violate the health guidelines as restaurants have struggled to police restrictions during the pandemic.

“Especially for restaurant owners. A lot of my friends shut down their business already. They failed. I’m still here but we are still fighting,” Esposito explained.

Breed isn’t the only California politician to receive criticism for appearing maskless. Gov. Gavin Newsom received a wave of backlash after he was spotted maskless at a party in November.