One might forgive U.S. foreign service personnel for being more than a bit miffed with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who this week announced plans to host a yuletide coronavirus “superspreader” party for almost 1,000 people in Washington D.C.
Missives reportedly sent out to U.S. missions around the world have advised State Department employees to avoid in-person gatherings over the holiday season. All gatherings should be downgraded to “virtual events,” a recent notification read, according to several U.S. sources.
The news of Pompeo’s party prompted an immediate reaction on social media, with the sheer hypocrisy of the situation the most common observation.
Although the party has the moniker, “Diplomacy at Home for the Holidays,” some commentators say the gathering has the ulterior motive of advancing the secretary of state’s personal sphere of influence – and presidential credentials – as the Republican Party gets prepared to reset for 2024, following the defeat of President Donald Trump in the November general election.
The United States is experiencing one of the biggest Covid-19 surges anywhere in the world, and, as of press time, had accumulated 14,463,577 cases and 281,933 fatalities. On Thursday, December 3, the United States reported a record 2,804 deaths, up from the previous record of 2,603 registered on April 15 during the initial peak of the pandemic.
December is expected to get even worse in the United States, as new cases emerge following the Thanksgiving travel period.