A Florida restaurant stirred attention on social media on Valentine’s Day with a post advertising the shop’s “face diapers not required” sign welcoming customers without masks into the establishment.
In a Facebook post Sunday that was shared hundreds of times, the restaurant’s owners wrote: “Howdy Folks! Happy Valentine’s Day A friendly reminder that we DO NOT require Face Masks.”
The restaurant, located in Spring Hill, Fla., is not in violation of any mask orders by allowing guests without masks to enter, as the state’s governor, Ron DeSantis (R), has resisted implementing a statewide mandate and moved to block local municipalities from enforcing their mandates with fines.
The post’s comments section quickly descended into chaos, with most readers responding with “angry” reacts and dueling over the necessity of mask requirements.
“We’re getting a ton of feedback, both positive and negative,” said Jesse Fox, the restaurant’s owner, in an interview with a local news station.
“I don’t feel like I am going against the grain. I feel like I’m using common sense,” Fox added.
Florida’s rate of new COVID-19 cases is decreasing after reaching a peak early in January; the state has confirmed more than 1.8 million infections since the pandemic began.