It may seem minor and petty but this is serious business.

Calgary mayoral hopeful Jyoti Gondek has made great political hay out of her support for lockdowns, masking, social distancing and mandatory vaccinations. Gondek opposed Alberta’s unmasking back in June and still supports stronger restrictions today.

Meanwhile at an event today (September 25) Gondek was apparently doing maskless selfies in close quarters with people who aren’t in her household.

Emma May who appears in the picture quickly deleted the tweet and blocked me on Twitter but alas, it is too late. The image of this act of hypocrisy endures.

Leading by example is critical. How are we supposed to expect citizens to take social distancing legislation or even recommendations seriously when proponents of such measures won’t do so themselves?

Are not Alberta’s hospitals filled to capacity right now? Has it not been made clear that vaccinations alone don’t prevent spread? Why does Gondek think that unmasked, close contact with people outside of her own cohort won’t lead to the potential spread of infections?

Hypocrisy is one of the worst traits one can see in political leadership.

There are many reasons not to select Jyoti Gondek as Calgary’s next mayor.

Her gross hypocrisy when it comes to COVID-19 safely measures should top that list.