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Caught on Camera: Woman calls 911 after not being allowed in store for refusing to wear mask

aidan bearclaw

The pressure continues in Palm Springs for businesses to enforce the state's mask mandate and many essential workers are still dealing with people who refuse to comply.

A video going through social media shows one example of what some employees and owners are dealing with.

The video captures a tense confrontation after an employee tells a woman she can't go into their Palm Springs store without a mask. The woman refuses to wear a mask and even called 9-1-1 when the employee doesn't let her in.

The dispatcher told her about the facial covering city ordinance. Behind the camera, employee Aidan Bearpaw said he offered her a disposable mask.

"And I think she was kinda waiting for that to happen just cause she had the A.D.A screenshot pulled up already," said Bearpaw.

As the encounter escalated:

"It was definitely really anxiety inducing," said Bearpaw.  "But it worked out in the sense that, you know, I was able to keep myself safe, and whatever customers were going to come that we're going to come in safe."

Now, appreciation for Bearpaw's response, Some customers even snapped a photo with him.

"I'm biased, but it's a shining example of how just doing what's right," said Jay Smith, Bones-N-Scones consulting general manager. "Standing your ground overcomes all of those things. Aidan one for us that day, he didn't just want it for Bone-N-Scones. He won for the city of Palm Springs, but United States and for humanity in general." 

"That's worth, just wearing the mask over your face for a little while, even if you're uncomfortable with it," said Bearpaw. "It's so simple."

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Dani Romero

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