Saturday, August 1, 2020

Ich Bin Ein Covidiot!



As proof that idiocy knows no national boundaries (although the U.S. has the lion's share of it), anti-mask protesters took to the streets in Berlin to assert their right to infect and be infected with the COVID-19 virus. Echoing their covidiot brethren abroad, the marchers said their freedom was being violated by the orders to wear face coverings in public spaces.

While Germany has been one of the more successful nations in flattening the infection curve, cases are once again on the rise:
"Germany has been less badly affected by the pandemic than some European countries, but cases are starting to rise again. 
On Friday it recorded more than 900 new cases and seven deaths. 
Official estimates say at least 15,000 people are taking part in the protests, which is being called 'The Day of Freedom'. 
Protesters held up banners featuring such slogans as 'Corona, false alarm', 'We are being forced to wear a muzzle'". (ed. - if only).  (our emphasis)
Of course, there as here, it's the usual hard-right suspects that are playing a central role as COVID-19 spreaders:
"The BBC's Damian McGuinness in Berlin says some are from the far right and some are conspiracy theorists who do not believe Covid-19 exists, but others are ordinary people who simply object to the government's approach to the pandemic."
Just when the pandemic seems to be under moderate control in certain countries, count on the right-wing fringe and their conspiracists to drag us back into the ditch once again over their "freedom" to behave recklessly, endangering the most vulnerable and our health care heroes.

(photo: Voice of America)