Post by JoannaL on Jul 15, 2020 20:20:48 GMT -5
Ohio Man Who Refused to Wear Mask Dies of Coronavirus
Richard Rose III, a 37-year-old resident of Port Clinton, Ohio, has died of the coronavirus. His death is significant because of his refusal to purchase or wear a mask, which he posted on Facebook.
“Let [me] make this clear,” Rose wrote in one tirade. “I’m not buying a fucking mask. I’ve made it this far by not buying into that damn hype.” Hundreds commented on his April 28 post, with many mocking him for his refusal to wear a mask.
Others, however, supported his decision, with one person commenting: “Oh please. It’s all predestined who is going to get sick and/or die. But keep on thinking that wearing a mask is gonna keep you safe.”
It is unknown where Rose picked up the virus, but in mid-June, he checked into Put-In-Bay – a village of bars, boats and nightlife on Lake Erie’s South Bass Island – presumably without a mask. Two weeks later he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and died on the 4th of July.
“We were blown away, you know? You hear about this virus and you don’t expect it to affect people, younger people like ourselves,” Rose’s friend Nick Conley told a Cleveland TV station. “Rick is getting slaughtered online right now for his decision that he made not to wear a mask and that’s not right. We should still be compassionate whether we agree with someone’s beliefs or not. Someone has passed away and we should have some compassion towards that.”
Rose was an army veteran who served tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. According to family and friends, he enjoyed social media, online streaming, Tik Tok, Twitch, paranormal investigations, his two cats, NASCAR and dirt track racing, and Georgia Bulldogs football. He is survived by various family members, including his mother, stepfather and sister.
Sources: Madeline Farber, Fox News, July 15, 2020; Christy Strawser, WWJ Radio, July 13, 2020; and WOIO.
