"...But Republican legislators continued to express doubt that someone would get in legal trouble for masking because of health concerns, saying law enforcement and prosecutors would use discretion on whether to charge someone. Newton said the bill focuses on criminalizing masks only for the purpose of concealing one's identity..."
I don't have faith that people would not get harassed or feel threatened by somebody because they are wearing a mask for health reasons. The law discourages mask use.
During the height of Covid, there were countless stories of unmasked people verbally harassing mask wearers in public out of the South. I’m talking frothing at the mouth, in their face, furious that this person would wear a mask. Once the law is on their side, I suspect this will get worse.
I had a mechanic say I was "scary" when I wore a mask into his shop (before telling me my mask was killing me). So yeah, I do not trust these people to judge in good faith.
"...But Republican legislators continued to express doubt that someone would get in legal trouble for masking because of health concerns, saying law enforcement and prosecutors would use discretion on whether to charge someone. Newton said the bill focuses on criminalizing masks only for the purpose of concealing one's identity..."
I don't have faith that people would not get harassed or feel threatened by somebody because they are wearing a mask for health reasons. The law discourages mask use.
During the height of Covid, there were countless stories of unmasked people verbally harassing mask wearers in public out of the South. I’m talking frothing at the mouth, in their face, furious that this person would wear a mask. Once the law is on their side, I suspect this will get worse.
I had a mechanic say I was "scary" when I wore a mask into his shop (before telling me my mask was killing me). So yeah, I do not trust these people to judge in good faith.