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A bar in northern Kentucky has come under fire for posting a video profanely refusing to follow the closing orders of Governor Andy Beshear.
In the Facebook Live video, Patrick Townsend, owner of the Town's End Bar and Grill in Florence, Kentucky, aims the camera at himself and says:
"What we're saying right now is, f*ck you, we're not wearing any masks. We are Americans — we're going to do what we want and we want to have fun."
Kentucky bar owner has 20+ customers singing closely together in response to the governor's mask mandate https://t.co/Eli0vcRCyP— Fifty Shades of Whey (@Fifty Shades of Whey) 1594593954.0
Full story: https://t.co/8ak2Y3VxPI— Fifty Shades of Whey (@Fifty Shades of Whey) 1594593985.0
Northern #Kentucky bar owner flouts mask order in viral video: ‘We’re Americans — we want to have fun’’… https://t.co/aSrdSTD7fQ— Michael O'Grady (@Michael O'Grady) 1594643355.0
The bar is located in Boone County, where the number of virus infections has been accelerating, as it has been in many other places around the country.
Though Democratic Governor Andy Beshear has ordered masks be worn in public spaces, Townsend was not sorry about his actions, saying:
"It is a basic intrusion of our civil liberties. Before he has complained about President Trump trying to control what the states do. Well, he's doing the same thing with all the county commissions and mayors. Let them do their job."
This is outrageous and blatantly dangerous. So many lives will be affected by this kind of behavior.… https://t.co/7Q8qewGlj6— Adam Jerome (@Adam Jerome) 1594489133.0
@davenewworld_2 This selfish person #PatrickTownsend needs to have his bar shut down. He has no consideration for t… https://t.co/QRHx1bca0x— Sean #BlackLivesMatter (@Sean #BlackLivesMatter) 1594624701.0
Townsend did also apologize for his "abrasive" language and claimed tables at the restaurant were being placed six feet apart with hand sanitizing stations.
He also said staff were being required to wear face masks. In the video Townsend shared, however, it didn't seem like the customers were taking social distancing very seriously.
Many online called for Townsend's bar to face consequences.
Lock up #PatrickTownsend and take away his liquor license https://t.co/2ty8NJp04M— Joann M (@Joann M) 1594643563.0
I understand many people disagree with the Governor’s mask mandate and that is totally fine But I don’t think If… https://t.co/IgoxpsYCK3— Matt Jones (@Matt Jones) 1594586370.0
The bar's name is especially ironic considering the danger it's putting its community in.
@davenewworld_2 Yikes ironic that a bar named “town’s end” is trying to literally end the town.— Jujubee (@Jujubee) 1594594458.0
@davenewworld_2 Perfect name for this bar ”Town’s End” yup https://t.co/pYAdbp9jlN— Moni1440 (@Moni1440) 1594598915.0
@davenewworld_2 “My number one priority in life is to protect my family,” Townsend explained. “That is the number o… https://t.co/2Ezr3L8RjU— Michael Connors 🏳️🌈 (@Michael Connors 🏳️🌈) 1594594247.0
Jamie Baynum, who lives near the bar, told RawStory she was concerned Townsend's actions could ultimately just delay the reopening he was hoping for.
"We all have to do what we can. We have to give something up. We have to not be selfish and just do what we can to stop the spread. This is a pandemic and it's not even close to being over."
@Patrick_Clarkin This clip made me feel a bit nauseous.— Cathryn Townsend, PhD. (@Cathryn Townsend, PhD.) 1594691904.0
@davenewworld_2 Imagine that get together being your last good memory 🙄😷🤢— Louise (@Louise) 1594594238.0
Safety should be the first priority of all businesses, no matter how badly people would like to return to normalcy.
@davenewworld_2 https://t.co/1IYa5hErJJ— DecencyVoter (@DecencyVoter) 1594597262.0
At the end of the day, Twitter was pretty sure they wanted to stay away from the Town's End Bar and Grill.
Health officials recommend you do the same.