(MARSHALL, Minn.) — The couple seen in a now-viral video wearing face coverings with Nazi swastikas while shopping at a Walmart in Marshall, Minnesota, are not allowed at any Walmart stores for the next year.
Video of the incident was captured and shared on Facebook by bystander Raphaela Mueller. It has garnered over 230,000 views on the platform since Sunday.
“I was speechless,” Mueller told ABC News of what she saw. “I couldn’t believe my eyes. I turned to my partner and said, ‘Wow, did I just see that right?'”
Mueller said that shortly after they saw the couple at the store on Saturday morning, they decided to report them to the store’s manager.
As they were waiting to speak to the manager, Mueller said the couple — still clad in the face coverings — showed up at a register across from them and that’s when she started recording.
In the video, the unidentified couple seemed to argue that it is a political statement. The woman wearing the swastika-adorned mask appears defiant in the video, talking in the direction of the camera as she responds to other customers who are strongly objecting to their masks. “If you vote for Biden,” the woman appears to be saying, “you’re going to be living in Nazi Germany, that’s what it’s going to be like.”
Eventually, Mueller said, there was a lot of commotion and the couple was escorted out of the store by police.
Mueller said she felt compelled to do something and not stay silent because of her own personal family history.
“My great-grandmother fought in the Underground Resistance against the first wave of Nazis and risked her life for other people,” she said. “I had that underlying knowledge in my head of, ‘Wow, if I don’t say anything now, what did she risk her life for?'”
She added that while many people think something like this “is never going to happen in our communities” she thinks that “it’s not that these events are more frequent right now, it is that they are being filmed more often.
“I want people to get more comfortable with stepping in and speaking up,” she added.
Walmart called the incident “unacceptable,” and said the individuals have been trespassed from all Walmart facilities for at least one year, meaning they could face trespassing charges if they go to a Walmart.
“We strive to provide a safe and comfortable shopping environment for all our customers and will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment in any aspect of our business,” the company told ABC News in a statement. “We are asking everyone to wear face coverings when they enter our stores for their safety and the safety of others and it’s unfortunate that some individuals have taken this pandemic as an opportunity to create a distressing situation for customers and associates in our store.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz responded to the incident on Twitter, calling it “disgraceful, plain and simple.”
“Thank you to the bystanders who stood up to this unacceptable, hate-fueled behavior,” the governor added.
(NEW YORK) — The two owners of a New Jersey gym were arrested on Monday morning for continuing to operate their business in defiance of Gov. Phil Murphy’s COVID-19 orders for indoor workout facilities to remain closed.
Ian Smith, 33, and Frank Trumbetti, 51, owners of Atilis Gym in the Camden County town of Bellmawr, were taken into custody at their business, where they have been staying since last week, officials said. They were arrested when they attempted to open their doors again.
Smith of Delanco Township and Trumbetti of Williamstown were each charged with fourth-degree contempt, obstruction and violation of a disaster control act, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer. Both were released with disorderly person summonses, Mayer said in a statement to ABC News.
After being released, Smith issued a statement on Facebook saying, “Welcome to America 2020, where feeding your family and standing up for your Constitutional rights is illegal.”
“They took Frank and I away and boarded up our private place of business,” Smith said, adding a video of him and Trumbetti being handcuffed outside the gym. “This is gonna be fun in court. If this doesn’t alarm you, you’re part of the problem. Please share and repost, let’s make these idiots answer for their power trip.”
The arrests come after New Jersey Superior Court Judge Robert T. Lougy issued a court order on Friday for Trumbetti and Smith to vacate the gym and cease operating in defiance of Murphy’s executive orders intended to blunt the spread of the coronavirus.
But Mayer said the men allegedly defied Lougy’s order within hours of its being issued.
“From July 24 through July 27, a number of individuals were observed entering and using the gym, a direct violation of the court order,” Mayer’s statement reads.
Smith and Trumbetti were arrested and taken to the Bellmawr Police Department for processing when they refused a request by police to voluntarily leave the gym, according to Mayer.
Lougy’s order authorized the state health department to not only put locks on the gym’s doors but to also erect barriers over the entrance to ensure compliance with Governor Murphy’s order.
Following Lougy’s decision, Christopher Arzberger, an attorney for the gym owners, told reporters that Smith and Trumbetti were “disappointed that this motion for contempt was granted.”
“However, we do respect the judge’s decision and will be taking all necessary steps to see if there is an issue of appeal here,” he said. “We understand our clients’ concerns. Small businesses have been under fire lately and we want to make sure all small businesses have an opportunity to be heard.”
In a video posted on Facebook on Friday evening, Smith said he and Trumbetti planned to stay inside the gym in defiance of the order.
“We will not be backing down under any circumstances,” Smith said while wearing a ball cap reading “Lions Not Sheep” and a T-shirt with the words “Make America Lift Again.”
He said Lougy’s contempt of court order was based on the prosecution’s “extremely weak” case.
“It was based on circumstantial evidence and had nothing directly tying us to a violation of Murphy’s executive orders,” Smith said. “However, it still went through because that’s what Murphy wants and that’s what Murphy gets.”
Since mid-May, Atilies Gym has become a rallying point for people against Murphy’s orders, which were issued in March. More than 200 people showed up to support the first attempt to reopen the gym on May 18, waving American flags and chanting “U.S.A! U.S.A.!” as the doors opened. At the time, police issued the first of several $2,000 citations for violating the rules.
Smith and Trumbetti said they had taken precautions prior to opening by limiting the number of members allowed inside to work out, implementing social distancing rules and asking members to wear protective face masks.
Myriam Borzee/iStockBy JON HAWORTH and EMILY SHAPIRO, ABC News
(NEW YORK) — The novel coronavirus pandemic has now killed more than 649,000 people worldwide.
Over 16 million people across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages, many unreported cases and suspicions that some governments are hiding or downplaying the scope of their nations’ outbreaks.
The United States has become the worst-affected country, with more than 4.2 million diagnosed cases and at least 147,103 deaths.
Here is how the news is developing today. All times Eastern. Check back for updates. 1:40 p.m.: Miami Beach mayor writes scathing letter to governor blasting state contact tracing program
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber on Monday wrote a scathing letter to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, blasting the state’s contact tracing program.
Gelber’s letter called the state’s contact tracing program in Miami-Dade County “unprepared to meet the challenges of this pandemic” and urged DeSantis “to take immediate action to expand its capacity and improve its competencies.”
Gelber said when Miami-Dade County reopened its economy in May, Florida’s “contact tracing program fully failed to cabin subsequent disease surges,” leading to “unconstrained growth of the virus,” according to the letter obtained by ABC News.
Florida is now the state with the second-highest number of cases. California has the highest and New York has the third highest.
“If we don’t have a capable and fully resourced program in place, I don’t see how we can even contemplate opening schools or other aspects of our economy. In fact, if we continue at this level of infection, I don’t know how we don’t return to sheltering in place,” Gelber wrote.
Gelber wrote, “I appreciate that this pandemic has revealed many of the fault-lines of how we are organized as a state and nation to address a contagion disaster. For instance, local mayors and commissions are being tasked with imposing the tough medicine needed to address this crisis (business closings, curfews, mask orders). Yet, ironically, the local municipalities or our County lack any health department as the County health officials actually only report to you and the State Surgeon General. Although the DOH staff in our County are diligent public servants, I am regularly advised by them that they can’t give me direct advice, or that they need to ‘check’ with someone in Tallahassee before answering a question.”
He added, “it is evident that they [DOH staff] are understandably wary of providing candid self-assessments of the shortcoming of their contact tracing efforts and staffing to local leaders to whom they don’t report.”
12:18 p.m.: Critical care chief at Baltimore hospital dies from COVID-19
Dr. Joseph Costa, the chief of critical care at Baltimore’s Mercy Medical Center, died from COVID-19 on Saturday, his family said, according to The Baltimore Sun.
“He dedicated his life and career to caring for the sickest patients,” Mercy Medical Center said in a statement. “And when the global pandemic came down upon us, Joe selflessly continued his work on the front lines — deeply committed to serving our patients and our City during this time of great need.”
Dr. Costa “was beloved by his patients and their family members — known for his warm and comforting bedside manner as well as his direct and informative communication style,” the statement added. “When he counseled our patients and families, he did so with great compassion and empathy. For all the nurses and staff who worked closely with Joe on the Intensive Care Unit, he was like an older brother that all admired and revered.”
11:45 a.m.: Gym owners charged for allegedly keeping business open despite court order
Two men who own a Bellmawr, New Jersey, gym were arrested Monday morning after allegedly keeping the gym open despite a judge issuing a contempt order against them on Friday, according to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.
In between Friday and Monday, “a number of individuals” were seen using Atilis Gym, prosecutors said.
“Police said both owners refused to leave the gym when asked, leading to the charges,” prosecutors said.
The men were each charged with obstruction, violation of a disaster control act and fourth-degree contempt, prosecutors said. They were released early Monday.
11:10 a.m.: Florida’s daily cases below 9,000 for 1st time in at least 2 weeks
Hard-hit Florida reported 8,892 new coronavirus cases Monday morning — the first time its daily case count was below 9,000 in at least two weeks, according to data from the state’s Department of Health.
Throughout Florida, just 18.82% of ICU beds remained available Monday morning, according to the state’s Agency for Healthcare Administration.
Monroe County and Okeechobee County had no ICU beds available, the agency said.
ICU availability will fluctuate throughout the day as hospitals and medical centers provide updates.
10:20 a.m.: Cases have roughly doubled worldwide in last 6 weeks
Coronavirus cases have roughly doubled worldwide in the last six weeks, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Monday.
This is the sixth time a global health emergency has been declared and COVID-19 “is easily the most severe,” Tedros said.
In the countries following hand washing, social distancing and mask guidance, cases are going down, Tedros said. In the countries not following those rules, cases are rising, he said.
Tedros said Cambodia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand and Vietnam prevented large-scale outbreaks, while Canada, China, Germany and South Korea brought large outbreaks under control.
9:37 a.m.: Miami Marlins’ opening game canceled due to COVID-19 breakout
The Miami Marlins’ season opener — set for Monday night against the Baltimore Orioles — has been canceled due to a COVID-19 breakout, ESPN reported.
At least 14 people, including players and coaches, have tested positive in recent days, sources told ESPN.
8:20 a.m.: No live family tributes on Sept. 11 anniversary
This year on Sept. 11, the ceremony marking the anniversary of the terror attacks will not include the annual in-person recitation of names by victims’ relatives.
The National September 11 Memorial and Museum informed the families in a letter that, because of the pandemic, the reading of names during the commemoration would be recorded.
Families are still welcome on the plaza in lower Manhattan for an event with social distancing and masks.
The ceremony will still mark six moments of silence for when the planes struck the World Trade Center, when the towers fell, when the Pentagon was attacked and when UA93 crashed in a Pennsylvania field.
3:51 a.m.: Italy cracks down on mask use
Several businesses in Naples have been fined €1,000 after they were deemed responsible “during a commercial transaction” for customers and clients who did not wear a mask in their establishment.
Besides fines, the government can also force businesses to close for a period between five to 30 days if they are found to be not in compliance. France will also introduce fines of €135 for people who do not wear a mask in public spaces indoors.
12:56 a.m.: NFL players who attend ‘high-risk’ events and contract coronavirus face team discipline, lack of pay
NFL players who contract the coronavirus through “high-risk” activity away from team facilities can face team discipline and might be at risk of not being paid, according to the league’s new protocol.
A memo sent by the NFLPA to agents this weekend, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN, outlines several rules governing player contracts, opt-out provisions and the contractual consequences of a canceled season.
The memo says that the final language of Friday’s agreement between the league and the players will appear in a side letter that is still being negotiated and that the information distributed this weekend represents “a summary of major aspects of the COVID amendments.” The basics have been dealt with, and the final section of the memo is devoted to the fact that players will be held responsible for the way they circulate in public while the coronavirus remains present.
Players were told weeks ago on a conference call with NFLPA leadership that they could face discipline, including fines, for conduct detrimental to the team if they are found to have contracted COVID-19 through reckless activity away from the facility. This weekend’s memo reinforces that and says that such activity could allow a team to challenge the status of a COVID-19 diagnosis as a football injury.
If such a challenge were to succeed, presumably the team could place the player on the non-football injury list, a move that would allow the team the option of not paying him.
The memo also states: “Clubs/NFL can challenge designation as a football related injury if it can prove that the player contracted COVID-19 through engaging in high risk conduct below. (This issue remains open.)”
“Players are going to have to be careful outside the building,” Los Angeles Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth said last week on a conference call after disclosing that he and his entire family got the virus after one of them went to lunch with a friend. “All it takes is one exposure, and it can spread like wildfire.”
(HOT SPRINGS, Ark.) — An Arkansas city saw its coronavirus numbers spike nearly 200% last week as the state grapples with record-breaking infection rates amid shortening testing supplies, according to an internal Federal Emergency Management Agency memo.
Hot Springs, Arkansas — known for its famous spa resorts and natural thermal springs — saw a 198% increase in infections last week with 145 new cases being reported, the memo said.
Many of the new infections stemmed from a outbreak at the Ouachita River Unit prison where there are some 800 active cases among staff and inmates, the memo states.
The virus has taken a toll on the state’s health care system as well. Rapid test supplies are in short supply and are being rationed for use by state hospitals, the memo said.
Statewide, some 100 inmates have been sent to hospitals for treatment for the virus since the pandemic began. At least 23 inmates have died from the virus, including a Ouachita River Unit inmate who died over the weekend, bringing the state death toll to 401, according to state data.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has recommended Solomon Graves to become the state’s new department of corrections secretary as infection rates rise.
“Solomon is stepping up during a difficult time in Arkansas, but with 14 years of experience in adult corrections, he is well prepared for the task,” Hutchinson said in a statement Thursday. “In my time as governor, I have benefited from Solomon’s breadth of knowledge of the prison system and the wisdom of his counsel. He is a compassionate leader who will vigorously fulfill the state’s responsibility to assure public safety balanced with the need for rehabilitation and reentry support.”
As of Monday afternoon, there were at least 6,600 active COVID-19 cases within the state.
State health officials delivered the grave statistics amid ongoing debates over Hutchinson’s recent face masks mandate. The mandate states that “repeat violators” can face up to $500 in fines for violating the order, while first-time offenders will simply receive a warning. Several police and sheriff’s offices have refused to enforce the order.
“As we continue to see high numbers of COVID-19 cases throughout Arkansas, we need to remain vigilant about masks,” Hutchinson tweeted Saturday as maskless protesters gathered near the state capitol to denounce the mandate. “Wearing a mask protects your friends and neighbors and will help us ensure students can receive in-person instruction next month.”
Demonstrators continued to gather near the state capitol on Sunday, slamming the recent mandate as an infringement on their freedom and civil rights.
State representative Mary Bentley addressed the protesters directly on Sunday, encouraging them to come up with a solution.
“I’m really here just to encourage hope and to encourage people to not be frustrated,” she told protesters Sunday, according to ABC affiliate KATV. “I just want to encourage folks to pray pray for our country, pray for this to be over with, and just come together as Arkansas.”
“Look at what the governor has to face and not be too angry, he’s not our enemy. The enemy is this virus, so let’s attack the real enemy,” she added.
The Arkansas debate comes amid a growing divide among Americans who support mandates to wear face masks in public spaces and those who continue to ignore public health directives, citing civil liberty concerns.
Hutchinson continued to defend the mandate in a tweet on Monday, citing masks as the best way to “battle this invisible enemy.”
“The data continue to show that wearing a mask is effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” Hutchinson tweeted. “Ensuring your mask covers your mouth and nose helps your neighbors and your community as we continue to battle this invisible enemy.”
(NEW YORK) — A rare hurricane warning was in effect for parts of Hawaii overnight as Hurricane Douglas passed dangerously close to the state.
The warning has since been canceled, but Douglas is still bringing Hawaii gusty winds, flooding rain and life-threatening surf.
Hurricanes don’t make landfall in Hawaii or even make it to the Hawaii waters very often. Only two hurricanes in recorded history have made landfall in Hawaii: Hurricane Iniki in 1992 and Hurricane Dot in 1959.
Why are Hawaii hurricanes so rare? There are a few reasons.
One is that the Hawaiian islands take up such a small amount of space in the Pacific Ocean, Earth’s biggest ocean.
The odds of a hurricane colliding with 10,931 square miles of islands in 6,246 million square miles of Pacific Ocean is very small.
Compare that to Florida, for example, which covers 65,755 square miles and is part of the eastern seaboard of North America, which in itself offers an even larger, vastly easier-to-hit target for Atlantic Hurricanes.
Second, there’s a strong, subtropical, high-pressure build to the north of Hawaii during the central Pacific hurricane season. That sends drier, more stable air into the hurricane path, inhibiting thunderstorms from persisting and staying clustered near the cyclone’s center.
Also, the wind shear — the change in wind speed and/or direction with height — is typically stronger near Hawaii, acting to displace thunderstorms from the cyclone’s center.
Finally, cooler sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean east of Hawaii keep the air somewhat cooler above the water. This increases the stability of the atmosphere, making it less susceptible to forming and maintaining thunderstorms.
Favorable ocean water temperature for a hurricane to strengthen is 79 degrees or higher. The water east of Hawaii is usually in the lower to mid 70s.
iStock/WolterkBy: CATHERINE THORBECKE, ABC News 
