An Ohio Army vet who refused to wear a face mask because he didn’t want to buy “that damn exaggeration” died of complications from coronavirus on July 4.
Richard Rose, 37, of Port Clinton, who served for nine years, including two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, died at his home, according to an online obituary.
On April 28, he posted that he was ignoring official recommendations to wear a face mask amid the deadly pandemic.
“Leave [me] make this clear, ”Rose wrote. “I’m not buying a shit mask. I got this far by not buying that damn exaggeration. “
That post has been shared about 18,000 times since his death, as hundreds of commentators made fun of him.
“And now you are dead,” wrote one person. “I bet your family wishes you had worn a mask …”
“Natural Selection, RIP,” published another.
But Nick Conley, who was Rose’s friend, told WOIO that ridicule is not necessary.
“Rick is being killed online right now for his decision not to wear a mask and that’s not right,” said Conley. “We should still be compassionate whether we agree with someone’s beliefs or not. Someone passed away and we should have a little compassion for that. “
Rose posted on July 1 that he had been “very ill the past few days.”
A short time later, he wrote, “Well. I’m officially quarantined for the next 14 days. I just tested positive for COVID-19. It sucks because I just started a new job!”
The next day, he wrote: “This covid s – t sucks! I’m so breathless just sitting here.
His last message came the day before his death: a meme with the words: “When you see me in heaven, don’t be yourself, imbecile judgment.”
Conley called it “horrible that we have lost Rick,” adding that “the even more tragic part of that is who else became infected because of the actions he chose.”
He added that he hopes Rose’s death serves as a warning to others.
“I know many people who have not met someone who they know has been diagnosed with the virus and I wanted people to see that it was real and my hope is that people will see this happen and people will be more cautious,” he said. to the local store.
Rose’s obituary said she enjoyed social media, online streaming, the paranormal, and her two cats, Dale and Tucker. She was a fan of NASCAR, the dirt track racing and soccer of the Georgia Bulldogs.
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