A woman was caught on camera blowing air at customers after refusing to put on a face mask while at a bakery where face coverings are mandated due to the pandemic.
The middle-aged woman, who was quickly dubbed ‘Karen’ after the video of her confrontation went viral, visited the Panera Bread store in Chico, California, and refused to put on a face mask despite the company’s regulations.
While the woman was provided with a free face mask upon entering the bakery, she proceeded to the line without putting the covering on.
In a video taken by William See, ‘Karen’ is seen approaching the staff and asking them: “So you’re not going to serve me because I’m not wearing a mask?”
Encouraging the woman to comply with the bakery’s policy was one of the customers who replied: “No, they’re not going to serve you because you’re not wearing a mask, that’s exactly right.”
After a heated exchange of words between ‘Karen’ and another customer, the woman proceeded to blow air at the man before grinning and walking away.
She then once again turned towards William and his friend to share her point of view on wearing face masks.
“You think that mask is going to protect you? You fart off your a** you can smell it out of your a**. You think that mask is going to protect you?” the woman said, suggesting that face masks don’t block the virus just like pants don’t block fart smells.
Responding to the wild theory, the customer said: “Just grow up, grow up and get out.”
Following the incident, Panera Bread confirmed that wearing face masks within their stores is mandated and that they provide free masks for customers who don’t have them.
“We are committed to following the COVID guidance of the state of California who mandate wearing of masks by team members and guests,” a company spokesperson told Newsweek.
“We offer masks to guests who do not have them and make an effort to offer other accommodations whenever possible.”
Replaced!