‘I AM SO TOTALLY SICK OF THESE JERKS’
I wrote this week, in a decidedly uncomplimentary manner, about anti-maskers who decided it was cool and patriotic to harass workers at a public library in St. Charles, leading library officials to shut the place down over concerns about the staff ’s safety.
It seems the cause de rigueur for epidemiological experts in the “I did my own research online” set is to boldly storm bastions of tyranny, like public libraries and Applebee’s restaurants, maskless and en masse, demonstrating to all that they have far too much free time on their hands.
The reader response to my column seemed noteworthy, a clear demonstration that most have had it up to here with the performative shenanigans of people hellbent on filling the obnoxious-viral-video-sized holes in their lives. It also taught me one truth that remains in this divided nation of ours: People love librarians and you DO NOT mess with them.
So today I’m turning this column space over to readers who emailed and shared their thoughts on the St. Charles situation and the broader behavior of those across the country who, by virtue of their loudness and willingness to annoy, have decided they’re smarter than doctors and scientists.
I’m not attaching names to these email excerpts, not because the senders are unwilling but because I’m unwilling to subject them to the kind of backlash the good and honorable librarians and staff in St. Charles received.
I’ll stand back now and let the people have their say:
“I can’t imagine what kind of cowards this group is. They are so tough that to protect people they decided to go after Librarians. I hope they are embarrassed for the rest of their lives.”
“My wife and I are congratulating you on standing up for those of us who agree and want to protect the health of all people. People who … do not follow the rules and/or unvaccinated have violated the rights of vulnerable people to remain safe. We are tired of the unvaccinated talking about their rights being violated. What about the greater good of the majority of Americans.”
“I too, am tired of hearing from people who spout nonsense about conspiracies, the vaccine and mask wearing. Not all conservatives, however, are in lockstep with these loonies. I’m sure you are aware of this. I just wanted to reinforce the fact that many of my independent and conservative friends are just as tired of these nut cases as you are. I have tried to use logic and reason when dealing with these people. Nothing seems to work.”
“I’ve lived in St. Charles since the ’70s and have never seen anything like this. I am so disappointed in these games people are playing to put our hard working librarians’ and residents’ health and life at risk. They should be ashamed and yes, stop acting like jerks!”
“Empathy is what most librarians have — they help find books, answer questions, guide patrons. The anti-maskers could do well to emulate librarians. The mask is a demonstration of caring for your fellow humans — to not spread infection & disease. Doctors have pleaded for everyone to get vaccinated, wear a mask, separate socially — to empathize with the plight of hospitals, nurses & doctors.”
“No common sense, no lack of empathy for anyone but themselves. Totally selfish.”
“Ten years from now, it would be great if a lot of newspapers ran photos of that and other incidents just to remind people of what they did just to get their picture in the paper.”
“Thank you for publicly calling this truly selfish, ignorant and egregious behavior in the name of ‘freedom’ what it is.”
“With this vitriol no decent person will want to work in the public venue nor want to run for office, especially for a seat on any school board because of knuckleheads such as the ones you have highlighted. Any threat to the safety of those working there should be followed up by law enforcement.”
“We have a family member who just passed his 5th week of hospitalization because of Covid, and we are guessing some unmasked moron spread the virus to him, a vaccinated individual. Thank you so much for saying what you did.”
“I am a nurse who has been working in the hospital through this entire pandemic and feel nothing but rage towards this crazy movement.”
“Thank you for your defense of libraries and the people who work there. The Elgin Library is my favorite place and a champion at helping during the pandemic.”
“I am so totally sick of these jerks.” “Never thought I would say it — I agree with you.”
“We are sick and tired of the antimask and anti-vaccine jerks.”
“It’s about time someone called out these idiots running around maskless and threatening people who just want to do their jobs. There’s bunches of them doing the same at school board meetings also. They are worthless self aggrandizing jerks.”
“These people are simply stupid narcissists. Please keep pounding on them. Stop the stupids.”
“There ought to be more people facing down these idiots whose ‘bravery’ only breaks down what little sanity there remains in the world.”
That is just a sampling of readers’ thoughts. Thanks to all who took the time to write.
And again, DO NOT mess with librarians.