By Clare Roche
With daily COVID-19 cases in Australia reaching a new peak, increased restrictions are fuelling “mask meltdowns” and inciting a new mask-shaming trend.
With the highest recorded cases nationwide, Victorians still refuse to go quietly into stage five COVID-19 restrictions.
As of the 2nd of August, all Melbourne residents were required to wear a face covering when they leave home.
The penalty for those who are caught without a mask in Melbourne – COVID-19 hotspot, will face fines of up to $200.
- The state has recently recorded 363 new cases
- Victoria’s death toll rises to 38
- Victoria’s state of emergency had been extended until August 16
- Fines of up to $200
Viral videos and heavy backlash :
Despite these restrictions, many are choosing not to comply.
Videos are beginning to emerge of locals shouting and yelling at staff and police.
In a video posted to twitter, one woman is seen yelling in Bunnings, refusing to wear a mask, claiming they are discriminating against her rights as a woman.
Footage of a mask-less pedestrian’s conversation with police on the streets of Melbourne has gone viral after he refuses to give up Identification and comply.
These videos have been causing outrage online, with many mask-shaming those who don’t comply.
Angela Shillington, a Melbourne local, says that this shaming is necessary in order to make people understand that decreasing spreading is a combined public effort.
“I see and hear about these videos and about people choosing not to wear masks and I just think it’s ridiculous.”
“Legally you are enforced to wear seatbelts, which is for our own safety. Everybody understands this and wears one. How is a mask any different?”
– Angela Shillington
Despite the nation rushing to bagg out the anti-mask “Karen’s” that are often behind the phone filming, the mask mandate has also been publicly ridiculed by Australian singer and songwriter Ziggy Alberts.
Alberts only aged 26, from the Sunshine Coast, has taken to Instagram to rant about the mandatory masks, claiming that it violates basic human freedoms.
He even goes as far to draw links and compare wearing masks to communist dictatorship and Nazi rule.
Mrs Shillington while recognising his right to his own opinion also agrees with the post’s criticisms.
“Posting a misinformed rant on a platform that boasts hundreds of thousands of impressionable followers is irresponsible.”
Alberts has received a wave of backlash, not just from fans but from the general public, with many calling to “cancel” him.
“I don’t think a person’s career should be cancelled based on their political views unless they’re a politician.”
– Angela Shillington
“Ziggy is a musician and although it can be enjoyable to poke fun at people online, I think this mask-shaming and cancel culture is not a sustainable or compassionate way to come together against an issue.”