Anti-maskers endanger others for social media likes, senior police officer says
A top cop has slammed Melbourne’s anti-maskers as selfish attention seekers prepared to endanger the lives of other people to get social media likes.
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Anti-maskers are “childish” and prioritise social media notoriety above public safety, according to a senior Victoria Police officer.
Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent slammed anti-maskers who make “alarming” claims that face coverings breach their human rights.
His comments come after Premier Daniel Andrews hit out at COVID-19 conspiracy theorists in his daily virus update
“Seriously, one more comment about human rights — honestly. It is about human life,” a frustrated Mr Andrews said.
Mr Nugent said twenty-three people were fined $200 for not wearing a mask in the past 24 hours.
He blasted these people as selfish attention seekers.
“The behaviour of those who blatantly choose to disregard the rules on the insistence their human rights being breached is alarming,” he said.
“Worse yet, it seems these people are more interested in notoriety and getting likes on social media than the health and wellbeing of their fellow Victorians.
“My message to anyone planning to break the rules is simple: no one has a human right to infect other people and place the entire Victoria community at risk.
“In fact, this type of behaviour is childish and is completely unacceptable when police are working incredibly hard to keep the community safe.”
Video emerged on Saturday of a Melbourne woman arguing with police and Bunnings staff after refusing to wear a mask.
“Bunnings Karen”, as she quickly became known as on social media, was today identified as Kerry Nash by her former employer.
iSelect said in a statement it was “appalled” by the behaviour of Ms Nash and that she was no longer employed at the organisation.
“Kerry Nash has not worked for iSelect since December ‘18. We are appalled by #BunningsKaren’s refusal to wear a mask without a legitimate reason,” the statement read.
“We fully comply with COVID restrictions and any staff unable to WFH must wear a mask in our office, in accordance with the guidelines.”
Ms Nash was also involved in a similar incident at an Australia Post outlet.
A post worker copped a spray from the anti-masker as she went to send a parcel.
“I do not need a mask,” she rants.
The exchange follows a similar incident last week where Melbourne woman Eve Black talked her way through a check point.
Eve Black, who calls the pandemic a “SCAMdemic” on social media attended a large conspiracy theory meeting at The Combat Athlete gym in Cranbourne on Sunday night.
Nick Patterson posted a photo of the meeting on Facebook which showed the group were not social distancing or wearing masks.
Mr Patterson wrote: “A great night together discussing the putrid conduct of the police, government and media lies.”
“God bless the righteous and give them power to prevail.”
Ms Black responded: “Thank you for having me there. It was so amazing to be in a room full of people who support and celebrate me during this tough time.”
Police fined another 129 people for other lockdown breaches in the 24 hour period.
This included 10 people who attended a church service in St Albans and people at numerous parties at short-stay apartments in the CBD.
Police also issued 31 infringements at vehicle checkpoints across the state.
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