I’m sick and tired of bullies. Unfortunately, these days they seem to be legion, in the worst way possible. Another story from the newspapers, showing our worst impulses unleashed over “to mask or not to mask” …. which should not be a question. This time it was at, of all things, a Sesame Street theme park in Levittown, PA, northeast of Philadelphia.
The employee (unnamed in the article) was only 17 years old. He asked two adults he saw in the park without masks to cover their faces. The 39-year-old male punched him in the face, sent him to the ground, and subsequently to a nearby hospital. Once there, the 17 year-old had a tooth removed and underwent double jaw surgery. A GoFundMe page has been set up on his behalf to help with associated medical expenses.
The man and his 31 year-old female roommate, who had assaulted another employee who was trying to help, then fled the park. Quoting the article:
New York police asked the Marshals for help because McCoy had a history of violent interactions with authorities, police told LevittownNow.com. When federal agents showed up at his Bronx residence on Wednesday morning, (Troy) McCoy refused to come out. Agents eventually burst in and used a Taser on him, Middletown Township Police Lt. Steve Forman told the site.
(Shakerra) Bonds, 31, arranged to turn herself in to police in Middletown Township ….
Federal agents got involved because of McCoy’s violent behavior in the past. It seems as though it could have been worse. Thank the higher power that it didn’t.
It’s clear that the pandemic is taking its toll on mental health. I can feel it in myself, and see it in others. Since mental health isn’t treated with the seriousness it deserves, I fear how the situation will escalate with increased self-harm by the depressed and harm of others by the angry bulliers. We can hope for the best, but I suggest we also be prepared for something worse.
