North Carolina bill to curb mask-wearing in protests could make it illegal for medical reasons too - Lemmy.World

People wearing a mask during protests in North Carolina could face extra penalties if arrested, under proposed legislation that critics say could make it illegal to wear a mask in public as a way to protect against COVID-19 or for other health reasons. Republicans supporters say the legislation, which passed its first committee Tuesday, was prompted in part by the recent wave of protests on universities [https://apnews.com/article/college-commencements-palestinian-protests-1ea0549aee05acabf0ed33d803963bf9] nationwide — including at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — against Israel’s war in Gaza [https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war]. … While the main thrust of the bill [https://webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewDocSiteFile/87479] enhances penalties for people wearing a mask during a crime or intentionally blocking traffic during protests, most concerns centered on the health and safety exemption. According to the bill’s summary [https://webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewDocSiteFile/87480], people could no longer wear masks in public for medical reasons. … When asked by Batch if someone wearing a mask for health purposes in public would be violating the law, a legislative staff member said it would, because the bill repeals the exemption.