When COVID hit, people around the world started wearing face masks over their noses and mouths. This was branded as a protective measure against the virus, designed to “stop the spread” among individuals infected, whether knowingly or unknowingly.
COVID has come and gone, but in real time, many Americans are still wearing coverings over their faces. Some feel it’s more sanitary in certain environments; other folks have different reasons for masking up.
In North Carolina, however, people may soon be required to unmask when they’re out and about. GOP lawmakers in the state legislature are currently working to ban public mask-wearing under most circumstances.
What’s driving this latest push?
Amid protesters at violent, anti-Israel demonstrations often wearing face masks, some North Carolina lawmakers feel it’s time to walk back masking in public. This unsurprisingly falls along party lines, with Republicans supporting the measure far more than Democrats.
If North Carolina Republicans get their way, individuals who commit crimes while wearing masks will also face harsher legal penalties. The legislation furthermore prohibits people from obstructing roads and emergency vehicles while protesting.
