Compulsory mask-wearing in Melbourne hasn’t gone down well with some, with videos popping up over the weekend including one showing a woman abusing Bunnings workers and police when asked to wear a mask

Since 11:45pm on Wednesday, 22nd July, it has been compulsory for anyone in Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire to wear a mask in public places.

In one clip that blew up over the weekend, a woman (apparently filming herself) abuses several workers at a Bunnings Warehouse after they ask her to put on a mask. She argues that “it is my right, as a living woman, to do whatever I want” and accuses workers of discrimination.

“That’s discrimination and I can have you sued – personally – for discriminating against me as a women,” she yelled, as her inner Karen came out to play.

“It is in breach of the 1948 charter of human rights to discriminate against men and women,” she continued, after workers tried to explain that wearing a mask is a condition of entry. “It unlawful, and it is discriminatory, and it is illegal, and I’m going to continue going in here and getting what I need because it is unlawful for you to do that.”

Several videos were then shared of the woman arguing with police in a car park. One clip shows an officer attempting to arrest the woman, while another shows vision of a different officer saying “the law that I work under is very different to the law that you believe in.”

Priceless.

“The safety of our customers and team is our highest priority and our team are doing everything they can to keep everyone safe,” a spokesperson for Bunnings told Seven.

The clips emerged on a day when Victoria recorded 10 more coronavirus deaths and confirmed 459 new cases, from 42,573 tests (the highest since the pandemic began).

Despite the high numbers, Premier Daniel Andrews praised Victorians, saying he was “very proud to see so many people wearing masks right across the city, particularly in regional Victoria, too, where it’s not compulsory.

“That’s a fantastic, simple but powerful step we can take to try to curb the spread of this virus.”

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