HIGHLIGHTS:  A library in New Jersey made a goof . . . and gave out COUNTERFEIT eclipse glasses.  They caught the error a couple hours before the eclipse, and warned people not to use them, since they couldn’t vouch for them.

FULL STORY:  If LIBRARIES want to make it through another century, they probably don’t want to make a habit of BLINDING the next generation.

A library in New Jersey made a little goof earlier this week, when they got a bunch of eclipse glasses so that local children could witness the wonders of science.  But instead it became a lesson on the evils of big business.

The Moorestown Library in Jersey somehow figured out that the eclipse glasses they were handing out may have been COUNTERFEIT.  Thankfully, they noticed it ahead of time, but just barely.

About TWO HOURS before the eclipse, the library sent out a panicked message on Facebook warning people NOT to use the glasses they gave out.

They said that the glasses were purchased from Walmart.com, and they were labeled as a brand approved by the American Astronomical Society . . . but they later learned that they may be knock-offs.

They apologized “profusely for the error.”

They also provided information on how to test the glasses . . . but one person called the lab, and said they wanted $1200 to $1500.  So, quote, “I’ll just have to wait and see whether I eventually go blind.”

There’s no indication that anyone was seriously hurt from these glasses yet . . . and technically, they could’ve been perfectly safe.  It’s just that the library “couldn’t be certain of their effectiveness.”

(Gizmodo)

(Now, you may be thinking:  Who makes counterfeit eclipse glasses?)

(Well . . . remember all those knock-off masks that were being sold during the pandemic?  Doing something the RIGHT way, with quality materials . . . testing . . . and authentication, takes time, money, and logistics.)

(These knock-offs may or may not be effective . . . but they ARE trying to take advantage of a market, by rushing in and undercutting the price and availability of the LEGIT stuff.)