The mask Nazis have struck again, and this time it’s literal. A Colorado bus driver was caught on camera physically attacking a young girl for not wearing her mask properly.
Anyone who has walked around in public without a mask on knows the typical responses: obnoxious people getting in your face for not wearing a mask, people following you around recording you on their smartphone, and even physical altercations with mask-wearers. Of course, all of these responses are a bit counterintuitive. If you’re wearing a mask because you’re scared of catching COVID, why would you try to get close to someone who you’re accusing of putting your health in danger?
In the blurry surveillance video, a 10 year old girl is seen wearing her mask below her nose. Reportedly, she wasn’t feeling well, and just moved the mask down for a moment. The bus driver, Bertram Jaquez, walked to the back of the bus to see what was going on. He then physically tried to move the young girl’s mask up above her nose, then slapped her for not moving the mask up.
Watch the video here (WARNING: Disturbing content):
The bus driver admitted to the abhorrent act in a written statement to the school district, writing: “Out of reaction, I slapped her once.” He is now facing misdemeanor charges including harassment, assault causing injury, and child abuse.
The child released a handwritten statement:
The Fremont County School District also released a statement about the incident:
“We believe it is never okay to lay a hand on a child. The District responded quickly to the situation by placing the driver on administrative leave so that we could fully investigate the incident. Local police were involved during the investigation as well as us being in contact with the child’s family. The driver’s action justified termination of employment, as it goes against District policy and our values. We are very saddened by this incident. Our goal every day is to transport students safely to school and back home, but that can only happen when everyone, including students and staff, follows the rules. We are currently working to identify next steps to help our drivers with strategies designed to support a safe ride to and from school.”
The Bottom Line
The actions of this bus driver are disgusting and disturbing, following the ridiculous new trend of the “mask Nazi.” People who believe they are superior because of their so-called moral decision to wear a mask have decided to police the behavior of others, and it is only getting worse. The fact that a grown man thought it was okay to strike a young child over a mask dispute proves this. Children should not be forced to wear masks, avoid physical contact with friends and family, and upend their entire lives over a virus with a close to 99% survival rate. We are destroying these kids’ childhoods, and there will be serious mental health-related consequences for this in the future. It’s time we take our children out of the public school system and away from these abusers.
