As more States propose mask bans, I want to take a moment to discuss claims that it’s “fear mongering” to say that masking is illegal.
People claim the medical exemption is “good enough”.
This ignores three critical points. Public perception, anti mask sentiment and rampant ableism
First things first, mask bans make masking a criminal offence. They make the act of wearing a mask illegal.
Sure there may be medical exemptions, but they’re incredibly problematic.
Lawmakers specifically chose not to exempt medical masks and respirators. The burden is on the wearer
Second, public perception around masking is very different now than it was before Covid.
People are irrationally angry when they see a mask. They’ve been politicized and folks have created an identity in their minds about who a masker is. A liberal. A sheep. Someone who’s anti-freedom.
None of their preconceived notions are based in fact or reality, but they fuel the anger and rage that gets directed at maskers every day.
When you enact a mask ban, you embolden these people. They aren’t reading the bills and considering medical exemptions.
They just hear they’re banned.
As a result they think they can demand you remove your mask. They may call the police on you. They will certainly feel justified in judging and targeting maskers and declaring that they’re doing “something wrong”.
This emboldening creates a dangerous situation that could easily lead to violence
This is why we must discuss anti mask sentiment when talking about mask bans.
Many disabled people masked before covid. I was one of them. The worst I ever got was a strange look or someone moving far away from me on transit
Since mask mandates ended I’ve been coughed on, spit at and yelled at
People view masks as bad and loathe anyone who’s still wearing them.
When you publicly enact a mask ban, you’re telling those people they’re right. That it’s ok to harass people for masking. That it’s wrong to wear a mask and protect your health.
You’re increasing the hostility.
Finally there’s the issue of ableism. Mask bans make public spaces less accessible. Period.
For many of us a good mask is the only reason we can be out in public. If you make it a crime, we risk being stopped by the police and forced to justify our disabilities.
Many of us have a difficult time getting healthcare workers to take us seriously, but we’re supposed to assume law enforcement will believe we’re masking for the right reasons?
That’s a risk we should never be forced to take. The interaction alone would negatively impact our baseline
Lastly… any reason for wearing a mask should be good enough.
We are still in a global pandemic. Millions are dead, even more are disabled. People are still dying every week.
Wearing a mask to protect yourself - whether disabled or not - is a smart and caring choice
The idea that someone should be forced to justify that choice or risk arrest is patently absurd.
Which is why mask bans are wrong.
The best way to fight these bans is to mask up. The more people wearing masks, the harder they will be to ban.
You can also call and email your local lawmakers and tell them you strongly oppose bans which make a medical mask illegal.
Please don’t wait until someone is assaulted or arrested just for wearing a medical device. Help us fight these bans now.
I’ve written extensively about mask bans, if you want a full length piece about why medical exemptions are not the answer, please read my article on Nassau County
Exemptions leave many people behind. They put undue burden on disabled individuals. They increase risk of profiling marginalized people
https://www.disabledginger.com/p/nassau-county-ny-makes-masking-illegal
#uglylaws #maskbans #discrimination #ableism #disability #uspoli #eugenics #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsNotOver
