The Chicago Mayor who threatened to jail people for violating a statewide stay-at-home order has defended having her hair cut despite previously saying “getting your roots done is not essential.”

Democrat Lori Lightfoot copped criticism after her stylist posted photos of the mayor to social media earlier this week saying, “pleasure of giving Mayor Lightfoot a hair trim.”

The mayor defended the “non-essential” visit during a press conference, claiming she needs to look good in front of the media.

“I’m the public face of this city,” Lightfoot said. “I’m on national media and I’m out in the public eye.”

The city’s Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, criticised the mayor’s response, saying: “She is under no obligation to look good on national TV. She is under no obligation to book national interviews. But she is under an obligation to follow and promote social distancing in order to save lives. This is a bad example for our city.”

Earlier this week, Lightfoot threatened to arrest and jail people found to be violating social distancing orders.

“We will shut you down,” she said. “We will cite you and if you need to, we will arrest you and we will take you to jail. Period.

“Don’t make us treat you like a criminal, but if you act like a criminal and you violate the law and you refuse to do what is necessary to save lives in this city during a pandemic we will take you to jail, period.”

Or, as George Orwell put it, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”