You know I remember when Covid first dropped we kind of wondered if "mask culture" would take hold here and people would start just wearing masks more often even when the pandemic ended. Even at that time I wouldn't have been cynical enough to think they'd actually be passing laws making wearing medical masks a crime. We are a deeply stupid country and we deserve complete annihilation.

[–] GiantSpoonWielder@lemmygrad.ml 22 points 1 month ago

It's not primarily about covid or health, it's about Palestine and free speech. Supporters of these recent efforts are trying to criminalize masked protest and give the state more authority to target resistance activity.

From Forbes

Under the new bill, anyone wearing a mask or a face covering would violate the law and could be charged with a misdemeanor. The only exemptions would be individuals who wear masks or face coverings for health or religious reasons.

How do you think authorities will regularly utilize the health exemption for wearing a mask in public? I'd imagine, given the history of police proclivities and their own comments, they will use it to selectively target the usual suspects and anyone raising a fuss about genocide, about war, police brutality etc.