At this Florida sports bar, masks are banned

Anti-maskers are popping up faster than you can say the word COVID.

There’s a segment of our society that thinks that masks, meant to protect them and others from germs, take away their freedom. A bunch of people even held a protest at a Target in Fort Lauderdale the other night, storming the store, mouths and noses out.

Over in Melbourne in Central Florida, where bars that serve food are open at limited capacity, the owner of the Westside Sports Bar and Lounge is a proud anti-masker. In fact, facial coverings aren’t even allowed in his locale, reports Fox 35 Orlando. (Brevard County, where the establishment is, does not have a mask mandate.)

Gary Kirby told the TV station that he is getting his share of hate over the questionable policy that flouts CDC guidelines, but many others are cheering it.

On the bar’s Facebook page, some followers were appalled. One person called the place a “disgrace,” and another put a meme of the Grim Reaper.

But a number of positive comments flowed in as well.

“Kudos to you .... Just hope other bar owners learn from this guy & follow suit.”

“LOVE that you have banned masks from your business! We’re hoping to get by for a visit very soon to support you and your common sense!”

“Dude, you are my hero.”

Kirby’s nod to the pandemic: A security guard checks temperatures outside the venue, where signs on the door say “Masks prohibited.”

Kirby said anyone who enters the bar with a mask will be asked to take if off, or leave.