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Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil now wearing a face mask, too

By Chaffin Mitchell, AccuWeather staff writer

Published Apr 17, 2020 5:45 PM EDT

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A facemask has been projected onto the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to promote safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As people around the world adjust to wearing face masks to protect against the spread of the new coronavirus, a tell-tale symbol of the new normal has also emerged. Statues are always exposed to the elements, no matter the season. They endure rain, snow and blistering heat. 

Some statues aren’t strangers to being dressed up for inclement weather. They have been clad in clothes and hats, usually so the homeless can take them to keep warm during winter, but many never wear weather-appropriate attire. However, as the coronavirus pandemic has reshaped 21st-century life, face masks are a new accessory that has spread to statues across the world.

Statues, many of them famous, are also "wearing" masks these days. Those donning the protective face wear include the Fearless Girl statue outside of the New York Stock Exchange, the Charging Bull statue across from which she stands in the Financial District, the legendary statue of Rocky Balboa in Philadelphia and the iconic "Hachiko" dog statue in Tokyo, among many others.

In early May, one of the world's largest and most famous statues was outfitted with a face mask. Officials projected an image of a face mask onto the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The hashtag under the big heart that appeared on the chest of the statue read #MascaraSalva, or “Masks Save Lives.”

Statues with masks on during coronavirus
Twitter

Statues wearing masks have also been popping up on social media lately.

Duck statues in Boston, called "Make Way for Ducklings," typically sport outerwear such as sunglasses, scarves, hats, jackets and Christmas attire, but now all nine ducklings are wearing customized masks over their beaks.

Some of the coverings have been homemade, for instance, the masks that shield the faces of the statues at the University of Southern California with the school's logo. The university posted a tweet with the protected statues urging people to cover their faces but to save the N95 masks for professionals in the health field.  

“Have to leave the house for an essential task? Be sure to cover your face and help save lives! Bandanas, scarves or homemade masks are great, but the mayor of L.A. wants to remind you to please keep N95 and other medical-grade masks reserved for emergency responders!” the university tweeted.

Have to leave the house for an essential task? Be sure to cover your face and help save lives! Bandanas, scarves or homemade masks are great, but the @mayorofla wants to remind you to please keep N95 and other medical-grade masks reserved for emergency responders!#LAProtects pic.twitter.com/E5qT3kf7f4

— USC (@USC) April 10, 2020

The city of Coronado, California, said the “Penelope” statue is wearing an extra-large mask with the words “Got Mask?” to remind walkers and runners to be safe while outside in shared public places. Their twitter post goes on to say the mask should fit snugly but comfortably, secured with ties or ear loops and have multiple layers of fabric.

The Port's "Penelope" statue in Coronado's Tidelands Park on wearing a face mask:
* Fits snugly but comfortably on the face
* Secured with ties or ear loops
* Multiple layers of fabric
* Allows for unrestricted breathing
* Can be laundered and dried w/o damage or change to shape pic.twitter.com/JQO49S4i4f

— City of Coronado (@CoronadoCity) April 14, 2020

Possibly one of the biggest masks is the one placed on an Olmec head in Mexico City. The Benito Juarez district of the capital decorated statues with masks as the borough began calling for anyone who leaves the house to wear a face mask to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

A jogger runs past an Olmec head, adorned with a protective face mask with a hashtag that reads in Spanish: 'It's time for all of us to take care,' in Parque Hundido in Mexico City, Wednesday, April 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Some have gone to great lengths to put masks on statues, such as using a construction lift to reach taller or bigger statues.

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The Fallas festival, which is a traditional celebration held in commemoration of Saint Joseph in the city of Valencia, Spain, was scheduled to take place on March 13, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Workers put a massive mask on a figure before the Fallas festival was supposed to take place.

COVID-19 outbreak

Workers place a mask on the figure of the Fallas festival in Valencia on Wednesday March 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

(AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

Workers were also seen using a lift to put a mask over a catfish's face in Paris, Tennessee.

Paris, Tenn. puts a face mask on its iconic catfish statue to promote social distancing 🐟😷

Share your photos here: https://t.co/H9ereJN1uE pic.twitter.com/VPU9Q6hLo3

— FoxNashville (@FOXNashville) April 15, 2020

Since many Americans are now required to wear face masks or some type of covering when they're out in public, the CDC has instituted some do's and don'ts for proper usage when it comes to wearing a face covering. Everything you need to know about making and wearing a face mask during the pandemic can be found in this handy guide. Stay safe.

Related:

‘Beautiful’ view emerges as polluted sky clears in India amid lockdown
AccuWeather’s free COVID-19 warning service extended to new states as severe weather looms
Coronavirus pandemic: Answers to practical questions about the spread of COVID-19
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