Darwin 202x

[rcjordan]

>Blimey

Yeah.  A sampling of my feed headlines indicate that, on a per capita basis, pubs and bars are the most transmission-prone social spots.

[rcjordan]

The "Freedom to Breathe Agency"
https://boingboing.net/2020/06/25/the-freedom-to-breathe-agenc.html

[littleman]

>40-year-old health care worker says she regrets not taking precautions

You think she'd be wise enough to know better.

[rcjordan]

It's fair to say Bournemouth beach was a little bit crowded
https://www.thepoke.co.uk/2020/06/26/its-fair-to-say-bournemouth-beach-was-a-little-bit-crowded-9-favourite-things-people-said-about-it/

[ergophobe]

Palm Beach residents accuse city council of obeying "the Devil's laws" and threaten them with citizen's arrest after the city council voted to make wearing masks mandatory, despite to fact that "these masks are killing people." The public health doctor gets accused of "crimes against humanity."

https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/06/24/mask-mandate-florida-anger-erupts-coronavirus-vpx.cnn/video/playlists/coronavirus/

[littleman]

'Don't be a sheep' says the sheriff talking to a crowd of diabetics and seniors about mask wearing.

[ergophobe]

'Don't be a sheep' says the sheriff.

I think QAnon is probably a big factor in these views.

For example
https://theconversation.com/qanon-conspiracy-theories-about-the-coronavirus-pandemic-are-a-public-health-threat-135515

[rcjordan]

Here in NC, we have quite a few sheriffs saying they will not enforce the mask order in their counties. Since sheriffs are elected in NC, I strongly suspect this is a play for their rural, conservative voter base. 

[ergophobe]

I think there is a difference between a sheriff who makes the political choice not to enforce, and one who says, "Don't be a sheep."

In the former, I see a pragmatist who may personally be in favor of or against mask wearing.

In the latter, I see QAnon propaganda working through to the mainstream (or possibly a QAnon sheriff who is putting it into the mainstream).

[ergophobe]

The local school district just held a community call about whether and how to reopen schools in the fall. Among the comments on the call:

- it's a hoax, there is no virus
- under no circumstances will we or our children wear masks
- under no circumstances will we or our children get vaccinated. It's just a plot so the government can chip us and track us.

That's the dominant mode. Basically hardcore QAnon stuff runs rampant in this county

[ergophobe]

Meanwhile, a woman is so upset at Target for selling masks, she destroys the display while chanting "This sh##'s over"

When police went to her house, she identified herself as a QAnon spokesperson and said that they should verify with Donald Trump, but she couldn't speak because the info is classified.

https://twitter.com/RexChapman/status/1279859772456611840

[littleman]

More stupidity -- this time from Alabama.

"If the government has the power to force you to wear a mask, they can force you to stick a needle in your arm against your will," he said. "They can put a microchip in you. They can even make you take the mark. After all, it's for the greater good.

[littleman]

Florida

[ergophobe]

The saddest part of that video is the refrain, "This is America!"

Yep, sadly, that is America. God have mercy on us.

[Mackin USA]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q65KZIqay4E