First-Grader Refuses to Take Off His Mask for a School Photo Following Mom's Strict Rules

A morally stubborn first-grader stuck to his guns when he was asked to remove his mask at school. Upon hearing this, the global internet sent love to the young man from all directions — and an enormous amount of money.

A proud yet amused mother, Nicole Peoples, shared a heartwarming story on her Facebook account. Her 6-year-old son, Mason Peoples, refused to take his mask off for picture day, heeding his mom's instructions to keep it on at all times.

Recounting the conversation between her 6-year-old and the photographer, she explained that the cameraman gently tried to coax the young boy into taking his mask off, but he wouldn't budge.

Eventually, they chose not to keep pushing Mason, and as a result, his school picture is of him with a blue mask on. The post has gone viral with 16,000 shares and a wave of positive comments with one reading:

"You should be proud! It has to be hard to stand up to an adult but he had the confidence to stand up for what he thought was right."

In an update on the post, the mother thanked everyone for their kind words. Peoples spoke about how many individuals had offered to donate money for presents and Mason's college, to which she left the link to a GoFundMe account.

The GoFundMe account has surpassed expectations. The original goal was only $7.00, but the crowdfunding page has reached just under $23,000 so far, with one individual commenting:

"Treat yourself to some ice cream for a job well done! Keep listening to Mommy!"

One commenter encouraged the parents to use this money for a college fund. As the love pours in, Mason continues to receive an abundance of wealth, with around 1,100 donors, 387 shares, and 1,400 followers so far on the GoFundMe page.

Peoples has expanded on why her child takes wearing a mask so seriously. The mom revealed that his grandfather had passed away from COVID-19 in January 2021.

Although Wester informed them of their son's life-threatening condition, they did not budge.

The mother stated that her father was highly active in her and her 6-year-old's life. That impact and seeing the virus's effect personally, Peoples explained, most likely made him realize how important it is to protect others.

As many are aware, this positive attitude towards wearing a mask is not always the case, as the pro and anti maskers continue to battle. Due to political beliefs on the owner's part, one set of parents were recently kicked out of a bar for wearing masks.

They were doing so to protect their at-risk 4-month-old son, Austin, a baby who has cystic fibrosis. A waitress informed Natalie Wester and her husband that the establishment believes that masks don't work.

As a private business, they had the right to enforce these rules, she expressed. Although Wester informed them of their son's life-threatening condition, they did not budge.

At the waitress' insistence, the devastated couple paid up and left the building. Unlike young Mason, when it comes to donning masks, it seems that Wester's child was not met with the same loving support.