Ohio lifted their pandemic health orders, which would no longer require the state's residents to don face coverings or respect social distancing as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday morning.
To celebrate the loosening of the state's restrictions, Ohio Republican Attorney General David Yost thought filming himself setting a mask on fire would make a dramatic statement on social media.
It backfired.
In honor of the expiring health orders: https://t.co/BxqkgeH4MA— Attorney General Dave Yost (@Attorney General Dave Yost) 1622592062.0
In the fifteen-second video captioned "In honor of the expiring health orders," Yost doused his mask with what appeared to be lighter fluid and tossed a lit match onto it.
His song choice was Jimi Hendrix's "Fire."
The GOP official explained in a separate tweet for the "youngsters out there" it was "a bit of a spoof on Jim Hendrix setting his Stratocaster on fire at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival."
@Yost4Ohio Ah yes. If there’s one thing the youngsters are doing out there, it’s “following Dave Yost on Twitter.”— Eric Carovello (@Eric Carovello) 1622666678.0
People were not amused by the Attorney General's stunt.
@Yost4Ohio Yeah so here’s the thing Mr Yost, the lack of guitar playing didn’t kill a bunch of people. Your “sense… https://t.co/opc32Sw10Y— ItsBrett (@ItsBrett) 1622674208.0
@Yost4Ohio More than a bit childish & disrespectful to the millions of people who have lost their lives to this hor… https://t.co/U028955AW6— Weathermom (Larissa)🐈🇺🇸🌊🌊🌊 (@Weathermom (Larissa)🐈🇺🇸🌊🌊🌊) 1622659648.0
@Elialuca/Twitter
@NastyJr5/Twitter
@bkosh84/Twitter
Arsonist General... https://t.co/9wchpEslwO— Darrel Rowland (@Darrel Rowland) 1622601986.0
Many were quick to point out Yost himself had contracted the viral pathogen and reminded him of Ohio's death toll.
@tokenliberal/Twitter
@Lucia_Flevares/Twitter
@Yost4Ohio 20,000 Ohioans died Dave— Just Some Guy 🧦 (J&J one shot) (@Just Some Guy 🧦 (J&J one shot)) 1622669666.0
@jlynnunsweetnd/Twitter
According to the state's Department of Health, there have been over 1.1 million confirmed cases of infection in Ohio with 59,338 hospitalizations and 19,923 deaths.
@CrystallnCLE/Twitter
@Yost4Ohio That mask possibly saved your life and mine. I get your “joke”, I just think it is beneath the dignity o… https://t.co/NCxTJi7M6T— DaytonOhio (@DaytonOhio) 1622636673.0
@APNatalieYoung @Yost4Ohio 600,000 Americans who died of COVID wish they had another chance to wear a mask.— AbbyNormal57 (@AbbyNormal57) 1622635781.0
@Yost4Ohio It's really pathetic the lengths some in the GOP have gone to about their outrage and anger over a piece… https://t.co/R3cvaECgvt— Pete S (@Pete S) 1622632761.0
@Yost4Ohio I know people who have respect for life yet no masks and had to watch loved ones die. Sick burn, Yost.… https://t.co/0KynVoOGES— SoupYaya (@SoupYaya) 1622691794.0
In response to the online backlash, Yost tweeted:
"A little-known side effect of [the virus] is a temporary loss of the sense of humor."
@Yost4Ohio Believe in Dave’s younger days he may have enjoyed pulled wings off flies, blowing up butterflies w/M80s… https://t.co/nghzjukxTm— Skel53 (@Skel53) 1622661430.0
@Yost4Ohio Does everything have to be performance art? Can't just throw the damn thing away? Oh no, I have to fil… https://t.co/4nukLyoRga— TheGhostofSideline_Observer (@TheGhostofSideline_Observer) 1622637615.0
@Yost4Ohio Tell that to my Mother-in-Law. She's not laughing...or doing anything anymore, actually. 💔🤬— Jennifer Lanham Voiceover 😷 (@Jennifer Lanham Voiceover 😷) 1622670732.0
@Yost4Ohio not appropriate for an attorney general/elected official. I expect more from someone in your position,… https://t.co/boCrZ9PfgR— jay smurgen (@jay smurgen) 1622652682.0
This is offensive and reckless. It’s behavior like this that will result in people continuing to get sick. Many p… https://t.co/PI6yY8aRpC— Aryeh Alex (@Aryeh Alex) 1622637356.0
GOP politicians are not interested in governing, legislating, or doing anything to make their constituents' lives b… https://t.co/WyDowLbKKd— Kevin wants you to get vaccinated! (@Kevin wants you to get vaccinated!) 1622637714.0
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced those who have been vaccinated do not need to wear masks with those who have not been vaccinated. He added safety guidelines will remain in places of high risk of contracting the virus, such as long-term care facilities and nursing homes.
His announcement followed a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eased mask-wearing guidelines for fully vaccinated people.
However, mask mandates remain in effect in some Ohio counties and cities.