Health official gives COVID-19 death toll briefing in clown costume, causes outrage
Many are upset and confused at the choice of costume for an announcement as serious as this.
A health official in Oregon, USA, has come under fire for donning a clown costume during her COVID-19 death toll announcement.
The video, which has been widely shared on social media, shows Claire Poche (a senior official of the Oregon Health Authority) wearing a red tie, black polka dot shirt, and bright yellow pants.
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Poche can be heard in the video saying: "As of today, there have been 38,160 cases of COVID-19 in Oregon, with 390 new cases being reported today. Sadly, we are also reporting three deaths today, bringing the statewide total for COVID-19-related deaths to 608."
Watch the video below:
Oregon’s public health authority had their MD dress up like a clown and announce COVID deaths. pic.twitter.com/6MJaqQniG6
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) October 28, 2020
According to a statement released by her office, Poche was part of a discussion about celebrating Halloween in a safe manner during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The outrage on social media was felt:
Revel in the absurdity #Kontrol19 https://t.co/ZkXnGENbpt
— Steven Bolton (@tubbietech83) October 29, 2020
“#America isn’t taking the #COVID19 virus seriously”
— Commerce Climmate (@CClimmate) October 30, 2020
No kidding, wtf is this? https://t.co/uLr8TdffQG
"Trust the experts," they told us. https://t.co/rg8N6VFM4m
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) October 29, 2020
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IMAGE CREDIT: Screenshot from video
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