Richmond, VA – A photo of Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate and New Jersey native Abigail Spanberger wearing a large plastic hood spread rapidly across social media this week, igniting political debate and partisan attacks.
The image, circulated by a MAGA-aligned account, appeared to show Spanberger sealed inside an awkward protective mask, supposedly over fear of COVID.
Critics mocked her as overly cautious, using the picture to question her judgment and leadership in the heat of the pandemic.
But within hours, the viral outrage began to unravel.
Fact-checkers and a Community Note on X revealed the image wasn’t from the COVID era at all — it was taken on January 6, 2021, during the protest on the U.S. Capitol, when lawmakers were ordered to put on emergency escape hoods as rioters stormed the building.
What the photo really shows
The “hood” in question is a standard-issue emergency escape device, kept in every office across the Capitol complex.
The equipment is designed to protect against smoke, tear gas, and other airborne threats in the event of an attack or evacuation. Members of both parties used the same hoods that day as security officials rushed to secure the House chamber amid chaos.
Context behind the misinformation
The misleading tweet attempted to reframe a moment of national crisis as a scene of pandemic panic.
Spanberger is now running for governor against Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, with the race set to be decided in November.
The photo that sparked ridicule ended up revealing far more about that day — and the dangers faced by those inside the Capitol — than about COVID precautions.