News
x
Joanna Taylor
1599059700

Allison Shelley / Getty Images
Supreme Court judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg officiated at a wedding in the middle of a pandemic. Without a mask.
A photo of the 87-year-old – who has survived cancer five times – sparked outrage online.
People are "furious" with Bader Ginsberg for "putting her health at risk".
But Bader Ginsburg has never allowed ill health to stand in her way. She famously didn't miss a single day at the bar while undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer in 1999.
And when she began chemotherapy again for liver cancer in May this year – having most recently been declared cancer-free in January – she said she intended to continue on with her job at "full steam".
While her drive might be admirable, Bader Ginsburg has been criticised for being "reckless". Coronavirus has been known to spread at weddings, which aren't exactly a key part of her job.
exposing an 87 year old woman who is being treated for cancer to possible infections isn’t the flex you think it is https://t.co/I3dvvdTQgr— ellen (@ellen) 1598935234
@barbsolish @dkazin Congrats, but also this was incredibly reckless & I’m furious that RBG put her health at risk, JFC.— Serenity Now! (@Serenity Now!) 1598923355
@barbsolish @dkazin Honestly... The ramifications of her getting sick at a wedding ( which has been happening) coul… https://t.co/fKPUxtlM4J— Salty John Raw Bar Chef (@Salty John Raw Bar Chef) 1598904035
Bader Ginsburg's health is extremely important.
She is one of the strongest liberal voices on the Supreme Court, and has spent her legal career advocating for gender equality and women's rights.
Since the sitting president appoints new Supreme Court justices, Trump would name her successor if she became incapacitated. Trump has so far appointed two new justices: Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.
So it's safe to say that American liberals want justices like Bader Ginsburg, who were nominated by Democrat presidents, to stick around.
i'm sorry but did you just invite maybe the single most valuable human life in this country to a public gathering i… https://t.co/IB6L8Kfg3W— Law Boy, Esq. (@Law Boy, Esq.) 1598920933
There are concerns that if Trump remains in office for a second term and is able to replace more Democrat-appointed justices, his administration may be able to overturn landmark rulings like Roe v. Wade, which guarantees American people access to abortion.
@dTrixieF @The_Law_Boy Our rights are currently dependent on her survival.— Matt Mulligan 🌐 (@Matt Mulligan 🌐) 1598928913
@barbsolish @dkazin Lol thinking about all the rights that are dependent on RBG staying alive and how many lives wo… https://t.co/9sLxE6H7ZL— Tarnishéd Ted (@Tarnishéd Ted) 1598930655
A spokesperson for the Supreme Court confirmed that Bader Ginsburg officiated at the wedding over the weekend.
Some Twitter users questioned the photo's authenticity, but court spokesperson Kathy Arberg confirmed that it's real.
She added that the bride, Barb Solish, and groom, Danny Kazin are Bader Ginsburg's family friends. Solish works at the National Alliance on Mental Illness, while her husband works for the Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee.
Solish defended her photo by tweeting "don't worry, we tested negative!".
But people weren't exactly reassured.
Bader Ginsberg has not yet been declared free from her liver cancer, and her continuation as a Supreme Court justice is of supreme importance.
It seems wise for her not to take any chances.
Top 100
The Conversation (0)