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.
@BE Oh wow I hadn’t even thought of that. I believe Virginia has a similar law and a similarly awful governor. The only reason he isn’t worse is because we have a very narrow Dem majority in the state senate to serve as a firewall. And to people saying, “just move”, it’s not so easy when your home, family and work are centered in a place. 🥺
Absolutely. So, here's Virginia's law:
VIRGINIA Section 18.2-422:
Prohibition of wearing of masks in certain places; exceptions.
It shall be unlawful for any person over sixteen years of age while wearing any mask, hood or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, to be or appear in any public place, or upon any private property in this Commonwealth without first having obtained from the owner or tenant thereof consent to do so in writing. However, the provisions of this section shall not apply to persons (i) wearing traditional holiday costumes; (ii) engaged in professions, trades, employment or other activities and wearing protective masks which are deemed necessary for the physical safety of the wearer or other persons; (iii) engaged in any bona fide theatrical production or masquerade ball; or (iv) wearing a mask, hood or other device for bona fide medical reasons upon the advice of a licensed physician or osteopath and carrying on his person an affidavit from the physician or osteopath specifying the medical necessity for wearing the device and the date on which the wearing of the device will no longer be necessary and providing a brief description of the device. The violation of any provisions of this section shall constitute a Class 6 felony.
Notice that it *does* have a specific carve out for "protective masks which are deemed necessary for the physical safety of the wearer or other persons" which the Florida law does not. You would hope that would make it clear that a mask during COVID times would be allowed, but, given that Jha even recently said “There is no study in the world that shows that masks work that well" I assume that any governor that wanted to could jump on that statement and say that masks aren't protective.
@JenX
It was pointed out to me privately here, that I did post the Virginia law, but didn't discuss the fact that it does, specifically, state that to wear a mask in Virgina you would have to be:
carrying on his person an affidavit from the physician or osteopath specifying the medical necessity for wearing the device and the date on which the wearing of the device will no longer be necessary and providing a brief description of the device.
Perhaps that's a way forward in these places? At least in Virginia it's spelled out. Might be something to consider!