Face Masks: Does the ADA Give You Permission Not to Wear One?
by Beth
More and more states and cities in America are implementing executive orders mandating the use of face coverings in public spaces — research has shown that the use of face coverings can significantly reduce the chance of exposure to COVID-19 and slow the spread of the virus. Exceptions can be made for people unable to use a mask due to their age and/or medical conditions, but how does that work, exactly? Do we need to carry cards proving our medical condition?
A lot of misinformation regarding the use of face coverings has been shared via social media, press and broadcast media. A couple of weeks ago, the Great Lakes ADA Center (in collaboration with the Southwest and Northwest ADA Centers) offered a session called “Face Coverings and the ADA” to discuss the application of the ADA to this issue as well as the various scenarios as they are playing out on the ground. The recording of the session is available, free of charge, and closed captioning and sign language interpreters were available.
Here’s an excerpt of what the session was all about: “Many states and local entities have implemented executive orders or mandates for the use of Face Coverings in both indoor and outdoor public spaces…The number of calls for technical assistance related to the use of Face Coverings to the ADA National Network have steadily risen over the past weeks as more mandates are issued and economies start to reopen. Join us for this session where we will discuss the application of the ADA to this issue as well as the various scenarios as they are playing out on the ground.”
August 20th, 2020 at 3:09 pm
No one who took an oath to uphold our God Given Constitutional Rights can make a Mandate such as what you are suggesting. Not the Governor, Mayor or President have any Right to implement any Mandates such as this. They can suggest this, but Lawfully they cannot legally make anyone obey this Order. This Order violates everyone’s Constitutional Rights!