Denver City Wire

Several leaders have admitted that they disregarded their own COVID-19 guidelines, Mayor Hancock included.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock visited his daughter in Mississippi after sending a reminder on the coronavirus protocols.  

“I recognize that my job as mayor, my job is not only to come up with safe practices for the entire city, but also to lead by example, and I think by that measure, I failed,” Hancock told Shaun Boyd in his CBS4 interview. “It’s a mistake I deeply regret and deeply apologize for.”

Hancock didn’t want to disappoint his daughter but knew that he had disappointed those who followed his advice, CBS4 reported. But he is looking forward that Denver will still follow his pieces of advice and recognize his orders moving forward.

“I hope that people listen because at the end of the day the mayor is a vessel for information that scientists and public health officials and medical professionals have advised us on,” he said. “You don’t come into this space believing that people won’t notice the things you do. I always say as much as it was a mistake, how you respond is just as important. I realize none of this is good enough and I hope the people of Denver will forgive me.”

Before Thanksgiving, Hancock, in a Tweet, encouraged the public to stay home and avoid traveling.

“Stay home as much as you can. Host virtual gatherings instead of in-person dinners. Avoid travel if you can. Order your holiday meal from a local eatery. Shop online with a small business,” he wrote.