During the COVID-19 environment, masks have become the norm for almost everyone. However, not everyone has welcomed the mask-wearing with open arms, with protests rising to campaign against such measures.
The Millions Unmasked March was an example of this opposition. Campaigners had organised a march to protest against government guidelines outlining that children are encouraged to wear masks when school resumes.
Despite 8000 active members of the Facebook group of protest, only 250 people showed (uncovered) face to the protest in Springfield, Illinois.
The 250 people gathered before the Abraham Lincoln statue to argue against children being encouraged to wear a mask. It seems the protest failed to fulfil its objective as the Illinois State Board of Education are now debating making masks compulsory for students when school resumes.
This March came a day after the Governor of the state, J.B Pritzker, issued a warning status against 4 of the 120 counties of Illinois. This was issued because of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, which have been traced to be a result of large gatherings.
The Governor also made his feelings on compulsory mask-wearing stating: “The enemy is not the mask. If you’re not wearing a mask in public, you’re endangering everyone around you, so the enemy is you.”
It seems like, despite the Governors advice, people will still continue to protest, even if campaigners are shrinking.
