Arkansas brewery hosts masks-burning event after mandate lifted

As some ways of life inch back to normal in parts of the U.S., those who are tired of wearing masks are getting rid of their face coverings with a symbolic gesture - tossing them into a flaming barrel.

Posted 7:28 p.m. Apr 3, 2021 — Updated 7:41 p.m. Apr 3, 2021

FORT SMITH, ARK. — As some ways of life inch back to normal in parts of the U.S., those who are tired of wearing masks are getting rid of their face coverings with a symbolic gesture - tossing them into a flaming barrel.

Arkansas officials recently lifted a statewide mask mandate and are letting businesses set their own COVID-19 policies. One local business hosted a 'mask-burning' event to celebrate, allowing people to honor the end of the mandate by blowing off some steam - and flames.

People gathered at Fort Smith Brewing Company to toss their face coverings into a fire. Owner Quentin Willard said he doesn't want people to discount the pandemic or its dangers entirely but rather wants to embrace the choice everyone has to wear one.

"Any time you let each individual make choices for themselves they can more adequately address the problems that are facing them and can make the right choices and positively create the environment that they're trying to make for their customers," said Quentin Willard, owner of the company.

Earlier this week, Arkansas lawmakers voted to prohibit the state from reimposing a mask mandate to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, a day after Gov. Asa Hutchinson lifted the requirement.

Arkansas has had more than 5,600 COVID-19 deaths and on Wednesday, their hospitalization count was at 166.

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