Posted on 12/21/2020 4:59:12 PM PST by SJackson
The Trump administration abruptly closed the Washington Monument after a recent visit by Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, who tested positive this week for coronavirus.
Interior spokesman Nicholas Goodwin said Friday that "a couple" of employees have quarantined since Bernhardt’s private tour, "resulting in a temporary workforce reduction at the monument and its temporary closure."
The National Park Service posted a brief notice of the closure on its website Thursday.
An official with an independent advocacy group for national parks and park workers on Friday criticized Bernhardt, saying the interior secretary had failed to protect employees' health and safety during the pandemic.
Bernhardt had been slow to allow closing of national parks to limit infection among park employees, visitors and local residents, said Kristen Brengel, a vice president of the National Parks Conservation Association.
National park employees also have expressed concern that Bernhardt and other Interior officials continue to visit national parks and other federal sites during the pandemic, Brengel said.
"It really is putting your own interest over the health and safety of park staff, is what it comes down to," she said.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Cabinet member. Does he think he can act stupid and run private tours since the election was over.
See how dangerous that darned thing is? More proof the Washington Monument should be torn down.
All of the huffing and puffing and people collapsing from not getting enough air through their masks might have played a part. (conjecture)
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