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2020-06-13

West Point's COVID Class of 2020

Despite New York's distinction as the nation's first major COVID-19 epicenter, and the US Military Academy's decision to depopulate their campus during the pandemic, the President of the United States insisted upon an in-person graduation ceremony, even though countless high schools and universities had shifted to virtual commencements to safeguard against a viral outbreak. Nevertheless, the soon-to-be-commissioned 2nd lieutenants maintained social distancing throughout the official ceremony, as is seen here during the president's commencement address. Throughout the pandemic, public health officials have warned against large gatherings due to their proclivity for easy and rapid coronavirus transmission, but that did not stop this president from ordering this commencement or planning mass political rallies.