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An elderly librarian refused to budge when an anti-masker demanded entry into an Illinois library without a mask on.
The video of the interaction was filmed by a man confronting her, and it has gone viral after the Patriot Takes Twitter page shared the clip online.
The account–which endeavors to "expose right-wing extremism"–captioned the accompanying clip with:
"Illinois librarian holds her ground as an anti-masker films himself throwing a tantrum after being asked to wear a mask."
Illinois librarian holds her ground as an antimasker films himself throwing a tantrum after being asked to wear a mask.pic.twitter.com/kyJwRjEfIi— PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1643077774
In an attempt to shame her for doing her job, the man told the lady:
"I just want to take a video and ask why you won't let me sign up, this is your choice to do, this is serious."
"I am here, with my daughter, we just want to use the library, that we have a right to use. You guys won't let us do this because I am not putting a mask on."
The librarian informed him that wearing a facial covering was the library's policy.
Giants come in all sizes.https://twitter.com/patriottakes/status/1485801992157114372\u00a0\u2026— Connie Schultz (@Connie Schultz) 1643114291
In response, he countered:
"Yeah, but you can make the personal choice to say it is not a big deal. I see you have two masks on so you clearly think it's a big deal."
When the librarian stood her ground and explained they had to abide by the policy, the man disagreed and insisted she was "making the choice. Just acknowledge that."
"I will leave here but just acknowledge that you are making the choice."
Before leaving, he told her that "just following orders" was the problem with "all of this."
He urged to "really think about that. It's a shame. Seriously."
I still don\u2019t understand why it\u2019s so hard to wear a mask\u2026? Does it hurt you in any way? Is it really that hard to put a piece of fabric on your face to benefit others? Jesus, people are so blinded by their false \u201cfreedom\u201d in this country.— Aaron Hall (@Aaron Hall) 1643134395
I love librarians!— Joyce Alene (@Joyce Alene) 1643115886
I\u2019m tired of all of this. \n\nWhen did this country start having such a large percentage of the population stop caring about the welfare of others? \n\nThank God we didn\u2019t have this during World War Two or the Civil War.— AdamVanHo (@AdamVanHo) 1643114818
Patriot Takes shared another video in which a man walked into an Aldi grocery store to prove he can walk in without wearing a mask.
The account claimed the clip featured the same man who pestered the elderly librarian.
“I’m going to show you walking around without a mask so you can do it too!” said the guy as he filmed in selfie mode.
\u201cI\u2019m going to show you walking around without a mask so you can do it too!\u201d\n\nThis man previously recording himself buying lemons maskless at an Aldi\u2019s.\n\nHe told his followers to \u201chave a backbone\u201d over mask mandates.\n\nThis guy just caved to the librarian who held her ground.pic.twitter.com/sU06cAX0S3— PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1643082685
Danesh found him. Hello Joey Fuscone!https://twitter.com/thatdaneshguy/status/1486036842411708418\u00a0\u2026— PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1643135763
He says there is nothing more degrading than wearing a mask? This from a guy posting all the shirtless selfies?— Trump Lies (@Trump Lies) 1643148678
Looks like he\u2019s from st Charles, Illinois. They closed the library due to threats. It\u2019s curbside service only. Thanks Joey.— Cathyfred (@Cathyfred) 1643137919
Gotta say, he looks like his voice.— Max Power (@Max Power) 1643135905
This was not a huge revelation.
Of course, a Trump supporter.pic.twitter.com/errU2zX3Bt— PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1643141427
More sleuthing revealed he is a business owner.
Send love !\nFuscone is the owner of The Illuminators.pic.twitter.com/52G3SMECLF— CagaoToday \u00ae\ufe0f (@CagaoToday \u00ae\ufe0f) 1643145768
I hope his business, which can be very easily found online, doesn\u2019t receive any messages from anyone.pic.twitter.com/oU5h1sdWF4— Ted Geoghegan (@Ted Geoghegan) 1643148357
I know one vendor from whom my family will NEVER buy outdoor lighting.— Formerly MTfromCC (@Formerly MTfromCC) 1643146158
It appears he has deleted his Instagram accounts, presumably after he was outed.
Joey has deleted his Instagram accounts. Maybe he did this because he posted an antimask video from his work van while driving.pic.twitter.com/f0v4vR6czf— PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1643140738
Brave Sir Maskhoke ran awaypic.twitter.com/4CH3BufX4M— John W (@John W) 1643199085
The Illinois Department of Public Health explained mask-wearing protocols on their website.
They stated:
"September 3, 2021, the Governor signed Executive Order 21-22 which requires all individuals over the age of 2 and who can medically tolerate a face covering to wear a face-covering when in indoor public places."
They additionally wrote:
"Public indoor places refer to indoor events, facilities, or premises in which community/persons visit or work."
"Places include but are not limited to businesses, retail establishments, office buildings, entertainment venues, hotel meeting rooms and ballrooms, lobby areas, indoor sports complexes, and other places of leisure."