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The COVID-19 pandemic sparked numerous controversial responses to masking requirements, leading to peculiar situations and notable instances of hypocrisy among public officials and institutions.
One particularly unusual case emerged at Washington state’s Wenatchee High School in February 2021, where band students were required to practice inside individual tents to maintain social distancing while playing their instruments. This unconventional solution drew mixed reactions on social media, with many criticizing the measure as excessive.
The period was marked by numerous instances of political figures failing to follow their own masking guidelines. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti claimed he held his breath during a maskless photo with Magic Johnson at SoFi Stadium, despite strict local mandates requiring masks for all attendees. Similarly, California Governor Gavin Newsom faced criticism after being photographed dining unmasked at an upscale French restaurant, contradicting his own COVID-19 restrictions.
Rules For Thee, Not For Me
Never forget when Gavin Newsom got caught maskless at a fancy restaurant with his corrupt friends. This happened at the exact same time he was pushing mask and social distancing mandates on the people of California… while pushing lockdowns as well. pic.twitter.com/vVFXTei5Pi
— Gain of Fauci (@DschlopesIsBack) January 28, 2025
The facade of mask requirements was further exposed when Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and Representative Wendy Ullman were caught on video discussing the “political theater” of wearing masks. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot also faced backlash after violating both city and state mask mandates.
Some reactions to mask non-compliance took extreme turns. Emergency room physician Cleavon Gilman sparked controversy with his harsh response to maskless shoppers in Florida, while Nancy Pelosi drew criticism for attending a maskless fundraiser in Napa Valley while servers remained masked.
California governor Gavin Newsom said he only took his mask off for a “brief second” for a photo at 49ers-Rams. Here he is on live TV during the game without his mask on. Liars gonna lie: pic.twitter.com/AiQOcb740y
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 31, 2022
The debate intensified with provocative statements from public figures. Arnold Schwarzenegger dismissed personal freedoms in favor of mask mandates, while Maryland Governor Larry Hogan claimed there was no constitutional right to go maskless. Some responses were even more severe, including a Pennsylvania school board member who resigned after threatening to shoot maskless individuals approaching her family.
The period also saw unusual innovations and policies, such as Israeli inventors creating a “Pac-Man” mask for eating, and the Academy Awards implementing selective masking requirements during their ceremony. These varied responses highlighted the complex and often contradictory nature of masking policies during the pandemic.
Educational institutions faced their own challenges, with one Nebraska teacher being placed on leave for comparing anti-maskers to the KKK, and an Illinois high school staff member resigning after verbally abusing a student over mask wear. Even private gatherings came under scrutiny, as demonstrated by an investigation into a maskless Christmas party at a Durham, North Carolina fitness studio.