I'd like to point out to anyone who thinks that "you do you" public health is sustainable that it's illegal to wear a mask in many public places in the US. This has only been on hold because of the emergency declaration and that's about to end.

For example, let me introduce you to my local law in Florida. Florida State statute 876.12:

Wearing mask, hood, or other device on public way.—No person or persons over 16 years of age shall, while wearing any mask, hood, or device whereby any portion of the face is so hidden, concealed, or covered as to conceal the identity of the wearer, enter upon, or be or appear upon any lane, walk, alley, street, road, highway, or other public way in this state.

This law was pointed out to my wife by a law enforcement officer who really wanted to arrest her for wearing a mask in a grocery store last year.

If you think you're going to be able to avoid COVID after the end of the emergency declaration you'd better be a full on hermit who never has to venture out.

And here we go. Thanks to a couple of people for pointing this article out to me this morning.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2024/04/29/police-make-first-arrests-in-florida-of-pro-palestinian-protesters-at-two-university-campuses/

At least 8 people in Florida were charged with wearing a mask in public during these protests.

@BE this article has details on the charges; looks like 5 were charged with wearing masks. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/nine-people-arrested-at-uf-protest/ar-AA1nWrFZ?ocid=BingNewsSearch

@Laukidh

Thank you for sharing that! I'd read both 8 and 13 in other articles, so I thought I was safe with "at least 8" but I'll see how it shakes out and correct accordingly. While I don't want to put out wrong info, I think the fact that it was anyone is the main takeaway here.