A video of a man verbally abusing a woman for not wearing a face covering in a tube station in London has sparked huge debate online today. While some are supporting the woman in question given the verbal attack she faced, many are in fact condoning the man’s aggressive behaviour and abusive language.
Model Duana posted the video to Twitter yesterday with the caption ‘So was just minding my own business when the mask police came to attack.’ The video shows a man approaching Duana aggressively and shouting, ‘F*cking sort your shit out. Film me, yes, because you’re a dickhead without a mask. You’re a cunt putting people’s lives at risk. Knobhead, have you got a medical exemption? Have you?’
The man is then told to leave her alone by another stranger and he begins to walk away. While he is wearing a mask in the video, his mouth isn’t completely covered in various parts. He also invades Duana's space, coming within what looks like one meter of her.
‘I actually do wear a mask when its needed however it wasn’t needed on a virtually empty, socially distanced, hot central line platform at 11pm on a Sunday night,’ Duana told Grazia. ‘I can assure you no one was put at risk by me not wearing it apart from the man in the video who came into my personal space harassing me. He was clearly looking for a fight which is why I didn’t provoke him further by answering him and I doubt he cared for anyone’s health as he claims when he clearly doesn’t care for his own when he stepped right in front of my face.’
The video has sparked huge debate online. Because, while it’s true that everyone who can wear masks should on public transport, it’s also true that a man verbally abusing a woman alone at night for not wearing one is completely abhorrent. Particularly, as he eludes to in the video, he has no idea whether Duana was exempt from wearing one for a wide range of reasons.
‘You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to,’ the government guidance reads. ‘This includes, but is not limited to, not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability… if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress.’
Exemption cards are being used by people to show this, however they are not required by law. ‘Those who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering should not be routinely asked to give any written evidence of this, this includes exemption cards,’ the government guidance continues.
‘No person needs to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about their reason for not wearing a face covering. Some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering. This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign. This is a personal choice and is not necessary in law.’
Ultimately, it seems that some are condoning the man’s violent behaviour in support of the effort to encourage all people to wear masks. But this is not about whether or not Duana should be wearing a mask. This is about the way in which the conversations around safety measures to prevent further spread of Covid-19 have exceeded divisive and become violent.
There is a difference between advising people that they should wear a mask to stay safe and harassing someone. Whether or not you agree with Duana actions, it is never okay to abuse someone. Now, at a time when we need compassion and empathy more than anything, it’s never been more important to remember that.
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