Mask Bans Proposed in North Carolina and New York Worry Health Experts

A similar mask ban was passed last month in South Carolina, and health officials were immediately concerned that creating a ban on a necessary medical device would cause deadly cases of COVID-19 to spike.

Also, in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) supports the ban of masks on the subway after an incident occurred with pro-Palestine protestors who shouted for all the “zionists” to get off the train. Ohio, Texas, and Florida have all threatened student protestors with arrest for covering their faces during demonstrations.

During the rash of hate crimes committed by the white nationalist group, they used their trademarked white masks to conceal their identities. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic and changing social order have caused new fears of hidden faces among crowds of unhappy civilians.

Although Covid-19 is not an official global pandemic, many states are still grappling with the lasting effects of the deadly illness. Across the Sun Belt and Florida, high levels of the Coronavirus have been detected in wastewater by the CDC, indicating an early wave during the summer season.

Critics say that the exemption would be difficult to decipher, and anyone attempting to avoid contracting a critical respiratory illness may be set up for social ostracization or harassment by police or citizens.

A man called her a “f**ing liberal” and insisted that masks were now illegal. He then coughed on her and said he hoped the cancer would kill her. The incident occurred the day after the North Carolina House passed the anti-mask bill in June. Officials worry that more incidents like this could take place as masks remain a hot topic.

When laws are introduced to police people’s bodies, they can usually wind up harming people who have good reason to, or just want to, continue wearing masks.

Instead of “helping put an end to this threatening behavior, the governor wants to continue encouraging these thugs by giving them more time to hide from the consequences of their actions. I look forward to casting a vote to override this veto and allowing those with actual health concerns to protect themselves and others.” The argument for banning masks lies in the ability of the police to use face recognition software after protests to arrest and detain citizens. If someone is wearing a mask, they’re less likely to be apprehended by police.

Despite legislators not liking the current political movement that supports a cease-fire in Palestine, protesting is a protected right under the First Amendment. On the flip side, most Democrats agree that when protestors start looting and breaking windows, they deserve to be stopped by the police with appropriate force.

Jay Stanley, a senior American Civil Liberties Union policy analyst, wrote about the issue. He says, “I don’t understand when there’s a political protest exactly how the authorities plan to sort out those who are wearing masks for health purposes versus those who are wearing masks to protect their identity. It really sets up a situation where we are likely to see selective enforcement against protesters that the authorities don’t like.”

During a news conference this month, Hochul said that “We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsibility for criminal or threatening behavior;” but wants to protect “legitimate” use of masks like avoiding covid or the flu.

In crowded places where airborne pathogens can spread easily, wearing a mask seems like a no-brainer to protect others. Some Democratic lawmakers in New York have attempted to come to a comprise, such as asking customers in stores to momentarily pull their masks down to dissuade shoplifters.