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Kamala Harris

Harris' explanation for mask-less school visit: Masks were optional for students

Harris, school administrators seen bare-faced alongside young students wearing masks

By Anders Hagstrom Fox News
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'Outnumbered' on Kamala Harris being photographed maskless with kids forced to wear masks Video

'Outnumbered' on Kamala Harris being photographed maskless with kids forced to wear masks

The panel reacted to the vice president's mask 'hypocrisy' and her deputy chief of staff becoming the latest staff member leaving her office.

Vice President Kamala Harris declined to wear a mask during a visit to a D.C. elementary school Monday because city guidance states that masking is optional for both students and staff, Harris' office told Fox News Digital.

Harris visited Neville Thomas Elementary School on Monday, and images from the visit showed her and school administrators bare-faced alongside young students wearing masks.

Media critics and political opponents quickly criticized Harris, arguing it was hypocritical to forgo a mask when the Biden-Harris administration is pushing for some mask mandates.

TSA TO EXTEND COVID MASK MANDATE FOR ANOTHER MONTH

  • Vice President Kamala Harris poses for a photo with students at Thomas Elementary School in Washington, Monday, April 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
    Image 1 of 3

    Vice President Kamala Harris poses for a photo with students at Thomas Elementary School in Washington, Monday, April 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

  • Vice President Kamala Harris visits with students at Thomas Elementary School in Washington, Monday, April 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
    Image 2 of 3

    Vice President Kamala Harris visits with students at Thomas Elementary School in Washington, Monday, April 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

  • Vice President Kamala Harris, second from left, shares a laugh with, standing left to right, Thomas Elementary School principal Jaimee Trahan, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, National Climate Adviser Gina McCarthy, and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, during a visit with students and staff at Thomas Elementary School in Washington, Monday, April 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
    Image 3 of 3

    Vice President Kamala Harris shares a laugh with school and Biden administration officials at Thomas Elementary School in Washington, Monday, April 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

While Harris was pictured several times with students who all wore a mask, there are also photos of the vice president with unmasked children.

Other critics claimed the students at the school were forced to mask, which is not the case. D.C. public schools shifted to an optional mask policy on March 16.

"In the Democrats' anti-science dystopia, the only person who doesn't need to wear a mask is Kamala Harris," wrote Republican National Committee rapid response director Tommy Pigott.

The incident echoed a similar case in which failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams went mask-less during a visit to a school where students were required to mask.

Abrams later apologized for the incident during an appearance on CNN, though she stood by the importance of mask mandates.

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"I took a picture and that was a mistake. Protocols matter. Protecting our kids is the most important thing, and anything that can be perceived as undermining that is a mistake, and I apologize," Abrams told CNN host Erin Burnett.

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.

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