Coronavirus

Take a look at these famous statues around the world wearing face masks during pandemic

On any normal day, she stands a fiery 4 feet, her bronze back slightly arched, her chin high in defiance.

Frozen in time, the Fearless Girl statue has become a young staple outside the New York Stock Exchange in the Financial District of Manhattan, her ponytail forever waving in solidarity of female empowerment.

But today, she looks different.

A surgical mask is placed on The “Fearless Girl” statue outside the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, March 19, 2020, in New York.
A surgical mask is placed on The “Fearless Girl” statue outside the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, March 19, 2020, in New York. Kevin Hagen AP

Today, in solidarity with everyone across the globe affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, she’s donning a surgical mask to promote social distancing.

And she’s not the only one.

From her one-time bronze companion, the famous Charging Bull on Broadway, to the mirthful statue of the late Freddie Mercury in Montreux, Switzerland, statues everywhere are reflecting the ominous times as the coronavirus runs rabid across the world.

In Tokyo, the famous statue of the dog Hachiko wears a surgical mask in solidarity.

A statue of a Japanese Akita dog named “Hachiko” wearing a face mask is seen near Shibuya Station Wednesday, April 8, 2020, in Tokyo.
A statue of a Japanese Akita dog named “Hachiko” wearing a face mask is seen near Shibuya Station Wednesday, April 8, 2020, in Tokyo. Eugene Hoshiko AP

In Philadelphia, the Rocky statue celebrating in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art now serves as a warning to keep your distance during these troubling times.

A cyclist wearing a protective face mask as a precaution against the coronavirus moves past the Rocky statue outfitted with mock surgical face mask at the Philadelphia Art Museum on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.
A cyclist wearing a protective face mask as a precaution against the coronavirus moves past the Rocky statue outfitted with mock surgical face mask at the Philadelphia Art Museum on Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Matt Rourke AP

A statue of Rosa Parks at a bus stop in downtown Dallas is now an unsettling COVID reminder.

A memorial statue of Rosa Parks wears a mask at a bus stop in downtown Dallas, Friday, April 3, 2020.
A memorial statue of Rosa Parks wears a mask at a bus stop in downtown Dallas, Friday, April 3, 2020. LM Otero AP

In Kansas City, the Firefighters Fountain and Memorial wore masks in honor of Billy Birmingham, an EMT with the Kansas City Fire Department who fell victim to the coronavirus.

Billy Birmingham, an EMT with the Kansas City Fire Department, died from the new coronavirus. His death is Kansas City’s first line of duty death related to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Billy Birmingham, an EMT with the Kansas City Fire Department, died from the new coronavirus. His death is Kansas City’s first line of duty death related to the Covid-19 outbreak. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Homemade masks cover the mouths and noses of the statues around the University of Southern California.

In Overland Park, Kansas, a statue of founder William B. Strang wears a homemade mask.

A statue of William B. Strang, founder of Overland Park, was sporting a homemade mask on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, in downtown Overland Park, Kansas.
A statue of William B. Strang, founder of Overland Park, was sporting a homemade mask on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, in downtown Overland Park, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

A mask can be seen on the Goddess of Commerce in Tacoma, Washington.

A mask is seen placed on the face of the “Goddess of Commerce” statue in Tacoma, Wash., on Saturday, March 14, 2020.
A mask is seen placed on the face of the “Goddess of Commerce” statue in Tacoma, Wash., on Saturday, March 14, 2020. Joshua Bessex joshua.bessex@gateline.com

In Boston, the Make Way for Ducklings statues on Boston Common each wear sunshine bright masks.

Also in New York City, the statue at the Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial in Riverside Park dons a crimson mask tightly around her face. New York’s daily death toll has swelled back to near 800 on Tuesday, just a day after dropping below 700 for the first time in several days.

All around the world, these statues are serving as a artistic, yet frightening reminder that this is the new normal.

Follow More of Our Reporting on Full coverage of coronavirus in Washington

Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram
TJ Macias
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
TJ Macías is a Real-Time national sports reporter for McClatchy based out of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Formerly, TJ covered the Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers beat for numerous media outlets including 24/7 Sports and Mavs Maven (Sports Illustrated). Twitter: @TayloredSiren
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER