Palm Beach residents slam face mask mandate, Internet calls it an episode straight out of 'Parks and Recreation'
The surge in coronavirus cases across Florida has sparked a new debate over whether wearing face masks should be made mandatory in the public setting. While many cities and communities across the state have been adopting this mandate, wearing a mask has suddenly become a controversial topic. Amid the coronavirus lockdown, a resistance formed against the preventive measure across the US in May. Despite being proven effective in stopping the spread of the disease, anti-mask rallies and protests broke out across cities deeming wearing masks as a violation of rights. The arguments continue as some say they should not be forced wear masks while others reiterate that more needs to be done to slow the spread of coronavirus.
On July 24 in Palm Beach County, Florida, the commission addressed the issue and unanimously voted to make masks mandatory. The decision immediately caused an uproar among residents who erupted in anger. "You literally cannot mandate somebody to wear a mask, knowing that that mask is killing people. It literally is killing people", a furious resident claimed, per CNN, and even accused a doctor in the crowd of crimes against humanity. "Every single one of you that are obeying the devil's law are going to be arrested. And you doctor, are going to be arrested for crimes against humanity."
"The problem with humanity today is ignorance, arrogance, and apathy. Keep taking the road of least resistance. Keep listening to the TV brainwashing you from birth", said one resident who was displeased with events of the commissioner's meeting, while another concurred, "They want to throw God's wonderful breathing system out the door. You're all turning your backs on it."
Masks have been scientifically proven to slow the spread of the disease. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) have repeatedly encouraged that people wear masks when stepping out of their homes, in efforts to prevent an infection.
The commissioner's meeting, however, was a blatant display at how the wearing of masks has been politicized. One angry resident even targetted a doctor in the crowd for her credibility as a medical practitioner because she favored the mandate. "Doctor, I really have many question marks about your degrees and what you really know. I'm sorry ma'am, but I don't think you are worthy of your credentials," the Palm Beach County resident commented, "And I would ask suggestively that you go back to school and get educated."
The events that transpired at the commissioners are reminiscent of a 'Parks and Recreation' episode and the Internet caught onto it. Twitter users were quick to get 'Parks and Rec', and '#WearADamnMask' pending as videos of the angry residents surfaced over the platform. In the famed NBC political sitcom where everyone is gathered for a public forum, the Pawnee citizens are usually arguing about the silliest issue with the notion that "this government is hell-bent on stripping away our basic personal freedoms." So, the Twitterverse likened Americans fighting back against wearing masks because their "freedom to breathe" was taken away, to the resistant citizens from a fictional television show.
"All I could think about when I saw that video of people arguing that it’s 'God’s way of breathing and that we’re throwing it away' and that 'Masks kill' was that they sound a lot like Pawnee citizens", a user expressed over Twitter. "Came back to Twitter and was worried Parks and Rec was canceled. Turns out it was because the world is a parody of a comedy show," another commented. "#WearADamnMask I'm sick of reading stories of people losing loved ones cause y'all wanna be selfish f**kers. WEAR A DAMN MASK!" a third user urged. "All this not wanting to wear masks s**t is straight out of parks and rec. All these public gov. meetings regarding masks and debating whether to mandate them or not and people just go up and go ape s**t over the idea of it being mandatory. I f**king hate it here," another user wrote in a tweet.
"#WearADamnMask it's not that hard. Medical staff wears a mask in surgery for over 10 to 15 hrs and we are fine. You can't wear a mask for no more than an hour..lol you weak soul. You say you love America but you can't help stop a virus from killing your fellow Americans? SMH", a user tweeted. "Isn’t this a parks and rec episode? Classic," a user commented, quoting the clip of the various Palm Beach residents expressing their rage. "Okay yeah this is literally every town hall meeting that happened in parks and rec," said another.