The highly intelligent lions that guard the New York Public Library's main branch on 5th Avenue in Manhattan have masked up. Patience and Fortitude were given blue masks this morning, in an effort to set an example for New Yorkers. The masks are 3-feet wide, 2-feet tall, and go all the way over the nose.
This comes as some library branches will begin reopening on July 13th for grab-and-go service. At that time, "masks will be mandatory to enter the branches to pick up or drop off materials."
"The Library's beloved marble lions began wearing their own lion-sized masks to set an example and remind New Yorkers to stay safe and follow expert guidelines to combat the spread of COVID-19," a press release announced. (Would the Columbus statue ever wear a mask?)
This marble duo have been guarding the library since 1911, and have "stood strong in the face of countless historic moments," including the 1918 Spanish Flu.
The lions were originally called Leo Astor and Leo Lenox, according to the NYPL, after library founders John Jacob Astor and James Lenox (this was later changed to Lady Astor and Lord Lenox). In the 1930s, however, they got their forever names from Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, who said they were named such "for the qualities he felt New Yorkers would need to survive the economic depression."
If you don't already know, Patience is on the south side, and Fortitude is to the north.
