As we all know, people across the country have engaged with the pandemic along political lines. Nowhere has this fact been more evident than in the debate over whether to wear masks in public spaces.
Spend a day on the internet and you’re likely to find a mask incident: some person refusing to wear a mask in a store or public establishment, and making a ruckus about the whole thing.
The most recent installment went down in a Target in Florida. Thanks to an onlooker, the entire ordeal was captured for our viewing pleasure—or horror.
In what appeared to be the furniture and linens aisle, a crowd of nearly ten people—two of whom wore “Make America Great Again” hats—excitedly charged down the long stretch carrying masks in their hands.
They repeatedly yelled their one demand:
“Take off your masks!”
One person in the group yelled:
“We’re not gonna take it anymore.”
The person behind the camera could be heard sharing their commentary as well, screaming:
“F’king idiots.”
Anti-maskers in Florida invade a Target pic.twitter.com/Z8TWbl8ihD
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) September 16, 2020
Once the video was shared to Twitter, the parade attracted all kinds of outraged criticism.
Some imagined what kind of punishment they’d like the crowd of anti-maskers to be dealt.
I’m at the point I’d 100% assault one of these clowns
— Bob (@Bobby_Digital86) September 16, 2020
Can looters, arsons, and vandals be required to rebuild the places they have destroyed and dig the graves of those who have died as a result of their sedition?
— Chris Guanabacoa (@ChrisGuanabacoa) September 16, 2020
This approach seems to have a lot going for it pic.twitter.com/PCCoNfYaU3
— Ian Pritchard (@ians_robots) September 16, 2020
Others took aim at the Trump-supporting undertones of so many anti-mask groups such as this one.
This must be that herd mentality trump was talking about.
— Jill Meyer (@Jill_Meyer_0407) September 16, 2020
This is the future of conservative protests … walking through a department store to assert their right to spread infectious diseases without molestation …
— Pasolini Himself (@rousseaucialist) September 16, 2020
— Jackson (@CaptTimeTravel) September 16, 2020
Thus far, over 195,000 people have died in the U.S. from the virus.
The CDC’s latest guidance advocates wearing face coverings in all public places. Unfortunately, the problem will persist for as long as these parades continue.