@jik

This is one of my pandemic fears. I was called for jury duty in early 2020 and eventually it was cancelled when government buildings shut down. I got another notice a few months back and this time it specifically said in writing "no masks allowed inside." While I was trying to decide if I was better off ditching it or risking the exposure, thankfully my number wasn't called to go in.

Given that they have stuck with no masks allowed inside the building at all I'm honestly not sure what I'd do if I were called in at this point. I'm quite sure I couldn't be an effective juror under the circumstances, but I don't think there's any way to communicate that without spending the day in a small room with a bunch of unmasked, unvaccinated people.

@BE @jik

If I'd seen the "no masks allowed inside" I would have phoned my lawyer immediately (I have a lawyer) and had my lawyer tell them that they don't have the right to endanger my life. Would have gone straight to suing the court officials for a declaratory order changing that rule.

In your position, I would probably actually start a lawsuit against the local courthouse immediately -- you have grounds because it's a predictable threat.

@neroden @BE @jik I have to agree. That doesn't seem legal to me, to actually prohibit the wearing of them..?

@perpetualmystic @neroden @jik

You are correct! So this spurred me to dig into it again and apparently they did change their minds on this last year.

I take back that there are still no masks allowed.

The current rules state that you must take them off while passing through security at the entrance, but you may wear a mask inside once you've cleared security.

@BE @perpetualmystic @jik

Oh-kay, that's an improvement, sort of, but it's STILL not acceptable.

They do not need you to take your mask off when going through security -- if it doesn't have any metal in it and won't trigger the metal detector.

The current rules might be based on metal nosewires so they might actually agree to this without argument.

@neroden @perpetualmystic @jik

I believe, based on this part, that it's about facial recognition?

"Clear face masks for witnesses and jurors: If a witness or a juror chooses to wear a face mask, the presiding judge may require that the witness or juror wear a clear face mask. If the presiding judge requires that a witness or juror wear a clear face mask based on the witness's or juror's choice to wear a face mask, a clear face mask will be provided to the witness or juror."