Another day, another attempted mask ban. This time in Maryland. Please, if you stopped masking we really need you to start again. It will reduce the number of Covid and flu cases, but it will also help normalize masks as a health tool. Disabled people need you to help fight these ugly laws: - ThreadSky

broadwaybabyto.bsky.social • 5 days ago

Another day, another attempted mask ban. This time in Maryland.

Please, if you stopped masking we really need you to start again. It will reduce the number of Covid and flu cases, but it will also help normalize masks as a health tool.

Disabled people need you to help fight these ugly laws:

Comments

mcindc.bsky.social•4 days ago

It has an exception for those trying to limit airborne illnesses.

carenloathing.bsky.social•2 days ago

Saying "limiting airborne spread of illness" is also so specific, it leaves it open to debate whether masks worn for protection not currently sick people even count. Whereas the part about PPE for trade purposes is broad.

carenloathing.bsky.social•2 days ago

Harassment is already illegal, there is no good faith reason to make a separate law to make wearing a mask + "harassment" a crime.

The existing Harassment statue also has an actual exclusion for protest type activity, which this new law as currently drafted does not

carenloathing.bsky.social•2 days ago

It's not actually an exception, none of them are. It lists these groups to make it seem like exceptions, but they are not, they are "affirmative defenses" you can claim in court make you not criminal liable after you have been in arrested and charged.

broadwaybabyto.bsky.social•2 days ago

Exactly this. You can claim you’re wearing it for medical reasons but that won’t necessarily stop them from arresting and/or charging you. The burden is on the wearer which is wildly ableist and discriminatory.

I wrote a thread about why medical exemptions aren’t the answer:

carenloathing.bsky.social•2 days ago

Thanks, I know you are all over this. Thanks for your tireless work, I'm just catching up now but people are missing, including the Reps, that a common sense or good faith execution of your intent can not be relied upon & is not how laws actually work

broadwaybabyto.bsky.social•1 day ago

You’re welcome! It’s hard because people get quite upset when you call it a ban because of the medical exemption. But I want folks to realize the problematic way these exemptions are written.

If the powers that be were actually find with masking for health, medical masks would be exempt. Period.

sniffit.bsky.social•4 days ago

It is meant to provide a way of charging protesters by handing police a pretense for arresting people and claiming they reasonably suspect a crime has been committed when someone at a protest in a mask tells them and their fascists shield-lines etc. to go fuck themselves.

k8delgado.bsky.social•5 days ago

I just hate that masking has been politicized. It’s like common sense no longer exists🤷🏻‍♀️

dj1au.bsky.social•4 days ago

By Democrats😏

sky-loyal.bsky.social•5 days ago

OMG WHAT WHAT. DIDN'T READ IT YET. I DON'T WANNA SEE HEADLINES LIKE THAT ABOUT MY STATE AS A PERSON & FAMILY THAT ALWAYS MASKS EFF NO TO MASK BANS. GONNA READ NOW

sky-loyal.bsky.social•5 days ago

just read thru entire thing. I don't think it's a mask ban. I interpreted it as making it a crime to harass others while wearing a mask purposely to conceal one's identity so one can intimidate & harass others. if that's what it means I don't think I see an issue with it. may look into it further.

bemorebailan.bsky.social•5 days ago

it's drafted more narrowly than the nassau ban but has the same framing and intent.
two of the dels cosponsoring this bill (vogel and boafo) are also spearheading an attempt to make a maryland blockchain taskforce, if you need any indication of their visionary brilliance and legislative acumen. 🤮

broadwaybabyto.bsky.social•5 days ago

This one is definitely worded better than some, but the issue is the same. They exempt actions instead of the type of mask. Which will lead to potential law enforcement harassment of people wearing masks. Ideally medical masks would not be included.

jagrier.bsky.social•5 days ago

Ugh, another one. This ban does not meet a specific, proven, and overwhelming need; our proven need in MD is for MORE masking. Plus as you say this ban is vulnerable to misuse, biased enforcement, and acts of bullying by self-deputized non-disableds. I'll add calling my delegates to the list :)

sky-loyal.bsky.social•5 days ago

Kelly how did you even find that law from up in CA? lol I hadn't even heard of it.

broadwaybabyto.bsky.social•5 days ago

A reader sent it to me! I’ve written a lot about the various bans lol

rp-vb.bsky.social•5 days ago

📌

broadwaybabyto.bsky.social•5 days ago

Brought by a Democrat too! I’m so ripping mad! We will fight this like we’ve fought all the others though!

blackjerseygirl.bsky.social•4 days ago

Fuck that. Not taking my mask off.

jooday2.bsky.social•5 days ago

I get comments every time I wear a mask. Stupid snark about being afraid of a “little germ”, “it’s just a cold”. I turn it around on them, “ well, ok if you don’t think I need it.” Then I’d whip it off and say “I’m probably not contagious anymore anyway!” and fake hack allover. Boy do they run!

dj1au.bsky.social•4 days ago

I sure hope they don't wear seat belts or stick to the speed limit or are they afraid of a little car accident?😏

jonfarrington.bsky.social•4 days ago

Bad take. Here's how the bill (submitted with all Dem sponsors) actually reads:

carenloathing.bsky.social•2 days ago

Harassment is already against the law ( tho it has an exclusion that states peaceful protest isn't harassment).

The proponents created these bills to deter and punish protesters.

Those mask reasons listed are not exclusions they are affirmative defenses, like self-defense, to claim in court

broadwaybabyto.bsky.social•4 days ago

I read the bill. That’s why I linked it. I’ve also written extensively on why medical exemptions are insufficient. Hence my post.

staffordcat.bsky.social•5 days ago

I’ve been noticing more people masking again in last couple of weeks here in Portland area. At the grocery store. Thank god!

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