Thank you for sharing your perspective. I agree that I can’t find any logical reason for passing this type of a law. I’m sad to say it may simply come down to it being an election year and the majority of Republican voters being very “anti mask” right now. They may be playing to their base? That’s all I can come up with. Maskers are in t…
Thank you for sharing your perspective. I agree that I can’t find any logical reason for passing this type of a law. I’m sad to say it may simply come down to it being an election year and the majority of Republican voters being very “anti mask” right now. They may be playing to their base? That’s all I can come up with. Maskers are in the minority and many of us did it before Covid (due to compromised immune systems or severe asthma/allergies) and no one cared until they became political. Hopefully we can get this overturned somehow so people don’t feel even less safe than they already do.
Also if it’s a rebellion over perceived misuse of power & control - then it seems silly to exert MORE power and control. A mask ban that actually assigns a misdemeanour criminal charge to masking is even more controlling than the mask mandates (which were at least temporary and didn’t come with a criminal charge). It feels like an odd way to rebel against that. Is it simply payback? Is that where we’re at? I sincerely hope not.
In my opinion, it looks like the NY governor is using a mask ban as a 'tool', a way to call out antisemitic attacks/hate crimes and make it 'easier' to identify these people - but she has NOT stated any 'medical' exemptions to the ban, and none of the news I've seen defends the rights of those needing to protect themselves/others medically
FYI I've seen some news from civil liberties groups, but the focus is on privacy not medical needs
The main issue in NYC is that they’ve said there will be an exception for medical reasons only during declared public health emergencies (which for COVID is now over). So the exemption leaves out caregivers AND high risk patients. This issue is becoming very messy very quickly unfortunately.
Exactly! It’s not considering the needs of anyone really. You can’t limit masking to public health emergencies only. People have masked on the NYC subways for years. It just makes good sense in a crowded and poorly ventilated space!
Wow, thanks for this link Victoria. So tragic that the menacing behavior like that is even going on. This all makes me think of the facial recognition software used in Asia and the social credit scores. And also the term “to lose face” and it’s origins. What a messy world we live in. But evil people on subways shouldn’t cause those with medical issues to lose their rights.
Oh, I wondered if someone was concerned about people hiding their identity and face behind masks for nefarious reasons. My husband is highly trained from his time in special forces and he mentioned several times during the pandemic that it looked like a few bad actors were hiding behind masks (or gators) and we needed to leave that store because he thought something dangerous might be about to go down. So that is an interesting possibility for motives. Thanks for the link and info. When people rob a bank, they cover their faces. So I understand the situation but of course medical purposes should not be banned.
Here in Australia a couple of major retailers are training their facial recognition software. They have made noises about preventing people who mask from entering, though we’re not there yet. Nefarious people are going to find a way to nefarious. I remember seeing people walk into banks with motorcycle helmets on, that looked more sinister than a respirator. Usually it was just someone who ‘forgot’ to take it off.
I agree that asserting more power and control doesn’t make sense. And I lived in Asia earlier in life and recognize many people use masks for various health reasons. When we do woodworking, I use a mask because of the dust. Some farm activities were safer with a mask. It is strange.
Thank you for sharing your perspective. I agree that I can’t find any logical reason for passing this type of a law. I’m sad to say it may simply come down to it being an election year and the majority of Republican voters being very “anti mask” right now. They may be playing to their base? That’s all I can come up with. Maskers are in the minority and many of us did it before Covid (due to compromised immune systems or severe asthma/allergies) and no one cared until they became political. Hopefully we can get this overturned somehow so people don’t feel even less safe than they already do.
Also if it’s a rebellion over perceived misuse of power & control - then it seems silly to exert MORE power and control. A mask ban that actually assigns a misdemeanour criminal charge to masking is even more controlling than the mask mandates (which were at least temporary and didn’t come with a criminal charge). It feels like an odd way to rebel against that. Is it simply payback? Is that where we’re at? I sincerely hope not.
Sending some hugs. I hear you. I agree.
In my opinion, it looks like the NY governor is using a mask ban as a 'tool', a way to call out antisemitic attacks/hate crimes and make it 'easier' to identify these people - but she has NOT stated any 'medical' exemptions to the ban, and none of the news I've seen defends the rights of those needing to protect themselves/others medically
FYI I've seen some news from civil liberties groups, but the focus is on privacy not medical needs
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/hochul-subway-new-york-mask-b2562660.html
The main issue in NYC is that they’ve said there will be an exception for medical reasons only during declared public health emergencies (which for COVID is now over). So the exemption leaves out caregivers AND high risk patients. This issue is becoming very messy very quickly unfortunately.
Thanks for that clarification. VERY messy and NOT considering the needs of the most vulnerable.
Exactly! It’s not considering the needs of anyone really. You can’t limit masking to public health emergencies only. People have masked on the NYC subways for years. It just makes good sense in a crowded and poorly ventilated space!
Wow, thanks for this link Victoria. So tragic that the menacing behavior like that is even going on. This all makes me think of the facial recognition software used in Asia and the social credit scores. And also the term “to lose face” and it’s origins. What a messy world we live in. But evil people on subways shouldn’t cause those with medical issues to lose their rights.
Oh, I wondered if someone was concerned about people hiding their identity and face behind masks for nefarious reasons. My husband is highly trained from his time in special forces and he mentioned several times during the pandemic that it looked like a few bad actors were hiding behind masks (or gators) and we needed to leave that store because he thought something dangerous might be about to go down. So that is an interesting possibility for motives. Thanks for the link and info. When people rob a bank, they cover their faces. So I understand the situation but of course medical purposes should not be banned.
Here in Australia a couple of major retailers are training their facial recognition software. They have made noises about preventing people who mask from entering, though we’re not there yet. Nefarious people are going to find a way to nefarious. I remember seeing people walk into banks with motorcycle helmets on, that looked more sinister than a respirator. Usually it was just someone who ‘forgot’ to take it off.
I agree that asserting more power and control doesn’t make sense. And I lived in Asia earlier in life and recognize many people use masks for various health reasons. When we do woodworking, I use a mask because of the dust. Some farm activities were safer with a mask. It is strange.