The video, found here, was posted to TikTok over the holiday weekend by Camo Camille, who wrote: “Karen thought she owned the mall bench.” So far, the post has received more than 6 million views and over 1.3 million likes.
At the beginning of the video, the woman can be heard telling Camo Camille: “Next time you sit on a bench, say, ’excuse me, ma’am, do you mind if I sit here?'”
Incredulous, Camo Camille—who appears to be sitting on said bench—asked: “Why would I do that? It’s a public setting.”
“Do you live under a rock?” the woman asked. “Do you know about coronavirus?”
Without skipping a beat, Camo Camille told the woman that she “clearly [doesn’t] care about coronavirus,” because she’s not wearing a mask.
“It’s a public bench,” Camo Camille continued. “If you don’t want someone to sit next to you, then get up.”
The woman proceeded to call Camo Camille “rude” before walking away.
The CDC still recommends that all people stand six feet apart from one another in public settings. On the topic of malls specifically, Johns Hopkins encouraged shoppers to “observe physical distancing signs and floor directions” that can help maintain these physical distancing measures.
Additionally, Johns Hopkins encouraged all shoppers to “bring hand sanitizer” to the mall and to “look for one-way signs or arrows on the floor directing foot traffic flow in aisles.”
Regarding masks, the CDC has asked those who remain unvaccinated to wear masks in indoor public places. Those who are fully vaccinated are also being asked to wear masks in areas “of substantial or high transmission.”
It is not clear whether or not six feet of distance separated Camo Camille from the woman on the bench. Regardless, commenters praised the TikToker’s response.
“Your responses were perfect,” said ce-pac shakur.
“Nothing makes me happier than a Karen who gets talked to the way they talk to others,” wrote Gillian. “Just makes my heart full.”
“I AM SCREAMING YES GIVE HER THE SAME ENERGY,” commented baby bee.
“You handled this situation so well!!” exclaimed Queen.
Hannah Monique added: “Thank you for being one of the only few people who give Karen’s sass back.”
According to data released by the CDC on Tuesday, the Omicron variant—the latest COVID variant—currently accounts for 58.6 percent of all U.S. coronavirus cases. Meanwhile, the Delta variant accounts for 41.1 percent.
For live COVID updates, click here.