Twitterati appalled at maskless Defence Secretary Esper moving among aged World War II veterans

Monitoring Desk

WASHINGTON: The coronavirus pandemic has claimed over 77,000 lives in the US alone, the highest national death toll in the world. The global lockdown has forced nations to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II mainly online.

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper wore no mask at a gathering of aged World War II veterans who also wore no protection, a move that shocked many, particularity on social media. Esper was accompanied by US President Donald Trump, who greeted the veterans from a standing position several metres away, but also without a mask.

The Defence Secretary was handing out “challenge coins” to the veterans from his pocket, when one of the old fighters grasped his elbow.

Netizens slammed the actions of the administration, accusing the Trump administration of having “no sense of responsibility, or duty of care”.

​Users blasted the Trump administration for not bothering to follow rules they shaped themselves.

​Some suggested that it is common not to stick to anti-coronavirus measures in the Trump administration, as the president earlier asserted that wearing mask will “send the wrong message”.

​Users were outraged, stressing that reckless behavior leads to “the slaughter of the Greatest Generation”.

Some slammed the White House claim that the veterans – in choosing to attend the Trump event – “chose the nation over themselves”.

Currently, the number of COVID-19 cases in the US has eclipsed 1,280,000 with the death toll over 77,000, as the US remains the most coronavirus-affected country in the world, according to data assembled and displayed by the Johns Hopkins University.

​Celebrations commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II have primarily taken place online due to the pandemic. Landmarks in London in Berlin have been illuminated to mark the celebration.

Courtesy: (Sputnik)