Python error ERROR Can not perform a --user install User site-packages are not visible in this virtualenv

Question

I tried upgrading pip using the following command:

python -m pip install --user --upgrade pip

I ended up with the following error:

DEPRECATION: Python 2.7 will reach the end of its life on January 1st, 2020. Please upgrade your Python as Python 2.7 won't be maintained after that date. A future version of pip will drop
support for Python 2.7. More details about Python 2 support in pip, can be found at https://pip.pypa.io/en/latest/development/release-process/#python-2-support
ERROR: Can not perform a '--user' install. User site-packages are not visible in this virtualenv.