Masking in public law?
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Anonymous
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Do we need laws making mask wearing in public a crime?
Democrats are upset that ICE is wearing masks. Republicans are cranky over protesters wearing masks. Maybe a masking law could be a kumbaya moment of bipartisan agreement. |
Anonymous
| It would put an end to the roving gangs of ATV riders on city streets. |
Anonymous
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We have that in Virginia:
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter9/section18.2-422/ |
Anonymous
If masks aren't allowed at protests, then that goes for these guys as well.
But yes, in general, I think anyone covering their face with a mask and wearing sunglasses to hide their eyes are doing it for nefarious reasons. That goes for both cops and protestors. |
Anonymous
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The mask issue is an interesting topic since the meaning of mask wearing has been changing over time. I checked with Grok and found out that "18 states and the District of Columbia have anti-mask laws, with provisions differing significantly." In our area, VA and DC have such laws.
Interestingly, the reasons why states and localities have tried to control mask wearing include: *Many anti-mask laws were originally enacted to counter KKK activities but have been applied to modern protests (e.g., Occupy Movement, Black Lives Matter, or Gaza protests). *During the COVID-19 pandemic, states like Alabama and Georgia suspended enforcement of anti-mask laws to allow public health mask-wearing, causing confusion. *Legal challenges argue these laws violate First Amendment rights to free speech and association, though courts often uphold them for public safety reasons (e.g., Georgia Supreme Court ruling masks as intimidation). Some laws, like those in Tennessee and Florida, have been struck down as unconstitutionally broad. I also discovered that in 2024 a GOP congressman introduced the “Unmasking Antifa” bill, which proposed up to 15 years in prison for wearing a mask to “injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate” and up to two years for property destruction while disguised. It didn't go anywhere, but I think it's significant that the bill sponsor thought "Antifa" was the problem and not just any group (like Neo-Nazis) wearing masks in public. |
Anonymous
| As long as there is a way to differentiate wearing a mask for health reasons vs wearing one to conceal your identity for nefarious reasons. It’s tricky, and gets into ADA protections— and I would worry that this could be a way for the administration to challenge ADA. |
Anonymous
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I haven't visited a bank branch in a few years. I had to go in recently and noticed they have a big sign on the door that states: No masks can be worn inside the bank in accompaniment of sunglasses. There's also a secondary sign stating that "gaiter" type masks are banned in the bank. I didn't know what a gaiter was and had to Google afterwards. That's the type that the ICE agents are wearing that cover 1/2 their face, ears, and neck.
As someone said above, IMO, the mask issue is like the fake service dog issue. All someone needs to do is say it's for medical reasons and they can wear one. There's no proof needed because of privacy laws. Why can't we say you can wear a mask, but if you're wearing a mask, you can't wear a hood, sunglasses, and a hat as well indoors. Or ban those gaiter masks and only allow medical-type masks. The CA law they are trying to pass has an exception for medical masks so all those ICE agents will just switch to that style. |
Anonymous
| I’m still wearing one, and no one can make me take it off. No way I’m getting Covid again. |
Anonymous
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There was a protestor holding a sign with scripture on it outside the pride festival last weekend. He had a mask on. Because, you know, trying to look scary while pushing the Bible is what really changes minds.
Mask bans need to allow for health related masking. |
Anonymous
Get a doctor's note. |
Anonymous
| If someone claims a medical exemption they should be required to wear an N95 mask because surgical masks don’t protect the people wearing them. |
Anonymous
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A lot of us have other health issues and need to wear a n95 mask.
Yes, I am vaccinated, yes I am an average weight for my height. Those two things help survive Covid, but don't prevent getting long Covid, along with all my other health problems. These people masking for identification concealing are going to continue to do so no matter what, especially law enforcement and law enforcement adjacent. |
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
| The id ridiculous. There are people who genuinely need to wear masks because of illness. LEOs should never be allowed to wear masks. |