Defendants of mask bans point to medical exemptions as proof that disabled people have nothing to worry about. They're wrong. A look at why bans are ableist, discriminatory and dangerous.
Well said!! I am hoping we can vote many/most of the deniers out of office in November! I mask in crowded places - for the protection of my husband and parents. If I'm in my home county, no one bats an eye. If I'm in my parent's county, I sometimes get strange looks or someone saying "masks don't work". I am tempted to cough a little and say "want me to take it off?" I bet they'd change their tune. People can be so ignorant.
I bet they would too! I always mask because I’m immune compromised - and I’ve had people back away from me, ask if I’m sick and refuse to share an elevator. It’s almost like they (gasp) don’t want to get sick! Meanwhile the person in a respirator is likely the safest person they will encounter all day.
great article! i still mask - haven't been harassed for it. but i am in a very liberal area of Maryland; i still see some masking hit drastically reduced numbers.
Hello friend from the other place! 👋. I’m glad you haven’t been harassed - it’s been overwhelming seeing how many people have been. Putting bans in place will just make people think it’s ok to pick on folks who are masking.
Great article and it is so needed. I saw there were cases of Monkey Pox in Nassau County. This makes no sense. They have made it a crime to protect your health. Protecting your health should be a basic human right. These times are becoming increasingly dystopian.
Very dystopian indeed. Between the return of ugly laws and the rollback of women’s rights around abortion (and possibly birth control if certain people get their way) it feels like we’ve gone back hundreds of years.
I am in NH & the news finally told us someone with contagious TB was in a daycare from March until August. Great. We also had someone with measles running around eating in restaurants. I don’t want any of it.
I'm in NC. My family hasn't gone back to routine masking here yet, although we may soon. But I have seen some people in my area wearing masks in public, in stores and on the streets. No one has paid any attention to them or given them any grief. I hope it stays that way! And I'm really hoping NC can get a better crop of legislators in November than the ones who passed this awful mask ban.
I hope it stays that way too! It’s still quite scary for people who are more likely to be targeted by the police - but hopefully with enough public outcry they overturn this ban.
Couldn’t agree more! All anti-masking bans are useless and only hurt those of us who need it most. I can’t believe anyone is spending energy even focusing on passing these bans. We have so many more important things that need to be dealt with in this country. I also had no idea that the police decide who should and shouldn’t be allowed to wear masks. I naively thought people who needed them would be able to apply for a card or something that would confirm medical need. Either way, doesn’t protect caregivers like you said, but at least a clear way to demonstrate need would’ve made sense. This makes me even angrier than I already was about this issue.
It’s really deeply sad - they’re only going to hurt people. I can’t imagine any crime will actually be deterred.
Now UC campus have banned them. So kids get infected at school when they’re young and then when they’re finally old enough to choose to mask if they want - the masks get banned. What a mess.
It’s a real mess isn’t it? When I started to prioritise my health in 2018, people actually thought I was crazy. I was told I was selfish, didn’t know what I was doing and that I was too vulnerable to make decisions regarding my own health. With rules and laws of this absurdity and the message sent that health doesn’t matter, it isn’t a priority and like you say, illegal In some parts. It’s no wonder it looks so utterly bonkers when you do put health on the list.
Yep! We really need to pay attention to the messages these laws send. America has some of the highest rates of chronic illness and infant mortality and maternal mortality etc… and the worst laws around these topics. You can’t protect your health, women don’t have autonomy over their bodies … and the results are NOT good.
I don't go out much but when I do I'm masked and I've been shouted at a couple of time. Sometimes it's just insults but sometimes it's people telling me how it's useless and I'm the government's little dog and it's always aggressive. What they say is violent but the looks people around us are giving me are violent too. Because it's always in public, when I'm in the street or public transportation. And I have to stay silent because I can feel that if I try to argue, I might receive more than words and I'm not sure people around us would help me. The days following those events I stayed at home even if I had something planned in town because I wasn't feeling able to mask in public. But then I was even more motivated to mask. However, I still feel fear and anxiety when I go into town and I avoid certain places.
I’m so sorry Tori. It’s truly awful how cruel and callous people have become. I agree it’s for the best not to argue because you don’t want to risk an escalating situation - but it’s also laughable to say you’re a government dog/pawn when we actually have governments BANNING masks. I always want to ask these people if they’re so interested in going against the government at every turn - will they wear a mask in places with a ban? Because they sound THAT ridiculous.
I'm so sorry to hear you've been harassed for wearing a mask. Sending a hug. You're not alone. I mask all the time because I care for my mother who's immunocompromised.
I still mask on a regular basis as I see it as the least I can do in the current environment which I recognize is fraught with risk. We all have an obligation to consider the golden rule of doing unto others as we would want done unto us. If not for me then at least for thee - regards as always, Bob
If there is a god, ha, then we will soon see those infection rates climb and karma square up and take them out. I look forward to seeing this play out, and take out those that think they are invincible!
I had to sit with this for a moment, reread, sit and reread, to try to put into words the rage, angst and empathy I'm feeling.
First, Kelly, thank you for your work in providing us with the facts referenced.
Sadly. I'm unsurprised by the lack of specificity, the abdication of responsibility and the absence of inclusive-leadership.
Yet again, the 'burden of proof' is on those of us who have a legitimate need and medical reason for our choice. Questioning with no clear guidance and left to the ambiguous discretion of an individual is dangerous.
This was brought home to me by the work of Professor Feldman Barrett ** whose research proves that it is NOT possible to see 'happy', 'Sad', 'Nervous' 'lying' . Emotion Perception is BIAS. Judgements can be obscured by physiological affect (e.g. as simple as being hungry, physiological affect). Emotion Perception, bias (social construct), affect influences are actions.
I don't live in the US. If I did I think I'd ask our doctor for a specific letter, and old letters of medical history ready. I hope/would want the hospital admin or local organisation to promote a 'Mask Passport'. Here in the UK there are organisations that have set up caregiver passport schemes:
**(University Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University. She also holds appointments at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where she is Chief Science Officer for the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior.) ,
I fail to understand why they couldn’t just exempt medical masks. Surgical, respirators, P100s etc. They don’t obscure identity well at all - and they’re a literal health tool. The problem with any type of passport or exemption is people will more than likely be forced to remove their mask while the police “assess” the legitimacy. They’re not medical professionals - we shouldn’t have to give them our private medical information.
It’s all so bleak. Caregivers would at least have a chance at getting an exemption - but all the Covid aware people who are simply trying to STAY healthy? They won’t have any option.
My goodness - this is just awful. I want to write an article every time this happens - but I literally would burn myself out because they’re spreading so quickly. I’m horrified more people aren’t pushing back.
I got a letter from my doctor, mostly because I want DHHS to count my mask purchases as medical expenses (they allow for over-the-counter medical expenses if the doctor confirms they are medically necessary, not sure if they will allow these but I am trying.
That’s great that it helps make them more affordable! I didn’t know anywhere did that.
I’m also glad you’ve got a note - but I fear people will be forced to remove their mask while police assess the legitimacy of their documents. As we know - covid can and does infect in seconds. These bans are so dangerous.
Bingo! This idea that only certain people are “sick enough” to prevent getting sick is nonsensical and a sure fire way to ensure we all become “sick enough”
Well said!! I am hoping we can vote many/most of the deniers out of office in November! I mask in crowded places - for the protection of my husband and parents. If I'm in my home county, no one bats an eye. If I'm in my parent's county, I sometimes get strange looks or someone saying "masks don't work". I am tempted to cough a little and say "want me to take it off?" I bet they'd change their tune. People can be so ignorant.
I bet they would too! I always mask because I’m immune compromised - and I’ve had people back away from me, ask if I’m sick and refuse to share an elevator. It’s almost like they (gasp) don’t want to get sick! Meanwhile the person in a respirator is likely the safest person they will encounter all day.
great article! i still mask - haven't been harassed for it. but i am in a very liberal area of Maryland; i still see some masking hit drastically reduced numbers.
(tthiking on twitter)
Hello friend from the other place! 👋. I’m glad you haven’t been harassed - it’s been overwhelming seeing how many people have been. Putting bans in place will just make people think it’s ok to pick on folks who are masking.
Great article and it is so needed. I saw there were cases of Monkey Pox in Nassau County. This makes no sense. They have made it a crime to protect your health. Protecting your health should be a basic human right. These times are becoming increasingly dystopian.
Very dystopian indeed. Between the return of ugly laws and the rollback of women’s rights around abortion (and possibly birth control if certain people get their way) it feels like we’ve gone back hundreds of years.
I am in NH & the news finally told us someone with contagious TB was in a daycare from March until August. Great. We also had someone with measles running around eating in restaurants. I don’t want any of it.
I'm in NC. My family hasn't gone back to routine masking here yet, although we may soon. But I have seen some people in my area wearing masks in public, in stores and on the streets. No one has paid any attention to them or given them any grief. I hope it stays that way! And I'm really hoping NC can get a better crop of legislators in November than the ones who passed this awful mask ban.
I hope it stays that way too! It’s still quite scary for people who are more likely to be targeted by the police - but hopefully with enough public outcry they overturn this ban.
Couldn’t agree more! All anti-masking bans are useless and only hurt those of us who need it most. I can’t believe anyone is spending energy even focusing on passing these bans. We have so many more important things that need to be dealt with in this country. I also had no idea that the police decide who should and shouldn’t be allowed to wear masks. I naively thought people who needed them would be able to apply for a card or something that would confirm medical need. Either way, doesn’t protect caregivers like you said, but at least a clear way to demonstrate need would’ve made sense. This makes me even angrier than I already was about this issue.
It’s really deeply sad - they’re only going to hurt people. I can’t imagine any crime will actually be deterred.
Now UC campus have banned them. So kids get infected at school when they’re young and then when they’re finally old enough to choose to mask if they want - the masks get banned. What a mess.
It’s a real mess isn’t it? When I started to prioritise my health in 2018, people actually thought I was crazy. I was told I was selfish, didn’t know what I was doing and that I was too vulnerable to make decisions regarding my own health. With rules and laws of this absurdity and the message sent that health doesn’t matter, it isn’t a priority and like you say, illegal In some parts. It’s no wonder it looks so utterly bonkers when you do put health on the list.
Yep! We really need to pay attention to the messages these laws send. America has some of the highest rates of chronic illness and infant mortality and maternal mortality etc… and the worst laws around these topics. You can’t protect your health, women don’t have autonomy over their bodies … and the results are NOT good.
Yeah I’ve been keeping my eye on those stats for a while - watching the rates increase. It speaks volumes.
Hi, I'm not from the US, I'm European.
I don't go out much but when I do I'm masked and I've been shouted at a couple of time. Sometimes it's just insults but sometimes it's people telling me how it's useless and I'm the government's little dog and it's always aggressive. What they say is violent but the looks people around us are giving me are violent too. Because it's always in public, when I'm in the street or public transportation. And I have to stay silent because I can feel that if I try to argue, I might receive more than words and I'm not sure people around us would help me. The days following those events I stayed at home even if I had something planned in town because I wasn't feeling able to mask in public. But then I was even more motivated to mask. However, I still feel fear and anxiety when I go into town and I avoid certain places.
I’m so sorry Tori. It’s truly awful how cruel and callous people have become. I agree it’s for the best not to argue because you don’t want to risk an escalating situation - but it’s also laughable to say you’re a government dog/pawn when we actually have governments BANNING masks. I always want to ask these people if they’re so interested in going against the government at every turn - will they wear a mask in places with a ban? Because they sound THAT ridiculous.
Hi Tori
I'm so sorry to hear you've been harassed for wearing a mask. Sending a hug. You're not alone. I mask all the time because I care for my mother who's immunocompromised.
I still mask on a regular basis as I see it as the least I can do in the current environment which I recognize is fraught with risk. We all have an obligation to consider the golden rule of doing unto others as we would want done unto us. If not for me then at least for thee - regards as always, Bob
Thank you Bob! A great many people seem to have forgotten the golden rule - and we would be much better off if more people practiced it!
🙏🙏🙏
If there is a god, ha, then we will soon see those infection rates climb and karma square up and take them out. I look forward to seeing this play out, and take out those that think they are invincible!
I had to sit with this for a moment, reread, sit and reread, to try to put into words the rage, angst and empathy I'm feeling.
First, Kelly, thank you for your work in providing us with the facts referenced.
Sadly. I'm unsurprised by the lack of specificity, the abdication of responsibility and the absence of inclusive-leadership.
Yet again, the 'burden of proof' is on those of us who have a legitimate need and medical reason for our choice. Questioning with no clear guidance and left to the ambiguous discretion of an individual is dangerous.
This was brought home to me by the work of Professor Feldman Barrett ** whose research proves that it is NOT possible to see 'happy', 'Sad', 'Nervous' 'lying' . Emotion Perception is BIAS. Judgements can be obscured by physiological affect (e.g. as simple as being hungry, physiological affect). Emotion Perception, bias (social construct), affect influences are actions.
I don't live in the US. If I did I think I'd ask our doctor for a specific letter, and old letters of medical history ready. I hope/would want the hospital admin or local organisation to promote a 'Mask Passport'. Here in the UK there are organisations that have set up caregiver passport schemes:
https://www.carerpassport.uk/
Perhaps this or someone in the county could start a local passport system, and promote its recognition with the police (ever hopeful)
denise brown Ai jen Poo Caring Across Generations
https://youtu.be/I7U_IzwvJuc
https://www.carermentor.com/i/140869453/professor-lisa-feldman-barrett
**(University Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University. She also holds appointments at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where she is Chief Science Officer for the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior.) ,
I fail to understand why they couldn’t just exempt medical masks. Surgical, respirators, P100s etc. They don’t obscure identity well at all - and they’re a literal health tool. The problem with any type of passport or exemption is people will more than likely be forced to remove their mask while the police “assess” the legitimacy. They’re not medical professionals - we shouldn’t have to give them our private medical information.
It’s all so bleak. Caregivers would at least have a chance at getting an exemption - but all the Covid aware people who are simply trying to STAY healthy? They won’t have any option.
We’re truly sinking to a new low with these bans.
UC just banned masks.
Imagine if you were all set to go to that school this month and they dropped that?
My goodness - this is just awful. I want to write an article every time this happens - but I literally would burn myself out because they’re spreading so quickly. I’m horrified more people aren’t pushing back.
I got a letter from my doctor, mostly because I want DHHS to count my mask purchases as medical expenses (they allow for over-the-counter medical expenses if the doctor confirms they are medically necessary, not sure if they will allow these but I am trying.
That’s great that it helps make them more affordable! I didn’t know anywhere did that.
I’m also glad you’ve got a note - but I fear people will be forced to remove their mask while police assess the legitimacy of their documents. As we know - covid can and does infect in seconds. These bans are so dangerous.
Yep it’s terrible nobody should have to justify to anyone why they don’t want a VIRUS in their body.
Bingo! This idea that only certain people are “sick enough” to prevent getting sick is nonsensical and a sure fire way to ensure we all become “sick enough”
Documents are always helpful. Thanks for the reply Maggie
It’s terrible that it’s necessary, I don’t plan to go to New York or North Carolina but just in case. And just in case it spreads
Yes, I hear you Maggie. Hope for the best, plan for the worst, and never assume anything ...is my motto
We use masks anywhere as my Mum has cancer. Right now I'm grateful to be in the UK.