Health experts have advised Americans that the best and easiest thing any of us can do to halt the spread of the virus is to wear a mask.
After many conservative politicians have politicized the wearing of masks, however, there are many Americans who have protested mask mandates as infringements upon their personal freedom.
In North Hollywood, California, a woman had a public breakdown after being asked to wear a mask by the staff of her local Trader Joe's.
Ya’ll I’ve found Karen of the San Fernando Valley #karen #KarensGoneWild #TraderJoes #noho #northhollywood… https://t.co/EgOfH5B1eQ— D. Giles (@D. Giles) 1593221563.0
Multiple videos of the woman went viral on Twitter, where many labelled her the latest in a longlineof"Karens" (i.e. Whitewomen who weaponizetheirprivilege to make an unnecessary scene.)
Opening day at Trader Joe’s in North Hollywood, Ca. Karen is mad she was mask shamed... https://t.co/pF3Zgj3w2E— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@Rex Chapman🏇🏼) 1593267581.0
“I have a breathing problem!” unhinged but physically fit Karen screams at top of her lungs as she’s escorted out o… https://t.co/wV6a5H8Jhs— Borzou Daragahi 🖊🗒 (@Borzou Daragahi 🖊🗒) 1593267576.0
Twitter was merciless in their mockery of the irate woman.
The White House salutes Karen J. Maga for setting Democrats straight at the Grand Opening of Trader Joe's in North… https://t.co/aB63ewMN6p— White House Press (@White House Press) 1593287077.0
In my very own back yard! This local Karen was triggered after she was asked to wear a mask at the opening of the T… https://t.co/QGJbUL8NUA— Perez (@Perez) 1593288287.0
Firsthand accounts of the incident reveal the woman had to wait in line with a mask for 30 minutes before taking it off once she went inside.
Witnesses also seem to suggest the woman was looking for conflict, spending more time breathing on other customers than actually shopping.
A firsthand account of the idiot at the Trader Joe's in North Hollywood (this is shared by my friend Lindsey, who I… https://t.co/2rd6H7J0er— Steve Hofstetter (@Steve Hofstetter) 1593275835.0
@davenewworld_2 Found this customer’s first-hand account of how it all went down 🤣 #karen #NorthHollywood… https://t.co/z9C5KB3xNw— PRC (@PRC) 1593277868.0
I can’t speak for the North Hollywood Trader Joe’s but I know at the one on Riverside in Sherman Oaks, while you ar… https://t.co/RSHe40r6k6— Meredith (@Meredith) 1593276257.0
There are many who believe businesses mandating masks are infringing on their personal liberties, but any lawyer will be quick to inform you that is not the case.
Oh, Karens and anti-maskers in North Hollywood and beyond. In a free society, private businesses are allowed to hav… https://t.co/qI7j0DjpvF— Natasha Chandel (@Natasha Chandel) 1593277442.0
Honestly, though, who here had a rich woman at a North Hollywood Trader Joe's being the first to have a public melt… https://t.co/pUlaL7r264— Seth Abramson (@Seth Abramson) 1593286704.0
The woman, who happened to be wearing a blue Bebe tee, was quickly turned into a meme online.
North Hollywood Karens https://t.co/lBStQ1hz4c— Mexican Rug Dealer (@Mexican Rug Dealer) 1593291240.0
The thing that strikes me about the #TraderJoes North Hollywood mask video is the absolute entitled rage the woman… https://t.co/5I2hVyHPrT— Carlo Cecchetto (@Carlo Cecchetto) 1593279483.0
If anyone's at the North Hollywood Trader Joes, can you remind my mom we're out of Cookie Butter?? She's in a blue… https://t.co/QtoQH339yh— Mike Scollins (@Mike Scollins) 1593276356.0
Twitter hoped Trader Joe's removed this customer for her bad behavior.
To be fair, there is always a self-centered white person yelling obscenities at the Trader Joe’s in North Hollywood. https://t.co/KmvM3W8p2o— Fr. Cody (@Fr. Cody) 1593273177.0
Many also questioned how often this "Karen" encountered "Democratic pigs" in the heart of Los Angeles.
Karen goes shopping at Trader Joe’s in North Hollywood and is surprised she’s surrounded by “Democratic pigs” https://t.co/m82413uN28— MNN News Network (@MNN News Network) 1593274414.0
If you hate Democrats, North Hollywood must be a tricky place to live. https://t.co/Y734UzASSI— Brock Wilbur (@Brock Wilbur) 1593271954.0
Wearing a mask to protect others shouldn't be seen as a political statement or an infringement of freedom.