In a curious (but not surprising) turn of events, the same group that wants 'small government' and denounces nanny states -- is orchestrating government bans of mask mandates.
That's right, this version of 'freedom' involves having the government criminalize the use of masks in the midst of a pandemic. If your town wants masks - nope. Do you want to send your children to a school that requires teachers to wear masks? Illegal!
The following states have active mask mandate bans:
The stupidity of people always surprises me for some reason. What kind of freedom is it, exactly, when the government tells you that you are not allowed to slow the spread of germs by wearing a mask?
And really, what harm is there in wearing a mask and not coughing or sneezing on others?
In New York City, the mask mandate has been lifted, but the majority of people still wear masks in the street. Interestingly, the apparent demographics have shifted. A couple of months ago masks were religiously donned by 'socio-economically privileged' white people while a good chunk of non-white people flauntingly refused to cover their faces (even in delis and stores). Now it's the opposite - many white people are _not_ wearing masks in the streets, while more darker-skinned people, surprisingly!
Perhaps the unvaccinated (sorry to sound racist, but NYC statistics show that vaccination rates are definitely related to race and socioeconomics; infection rates in 10024 were half of those in 10025 zip code just above 96th street, for instance) are a little scared now that masks are no longer required? After all, it is the unvaccinated who are suffocating and dying in hospitals, while the vaccinated get a sore throat and a little cough.
Fear of the vaccines administered by white people is not unjustified. There are some horrors buried in history. But interestingly, the biggest correlation to being unvaccinated is the lack of medical insurance.
In the meantime it seems that a group of rascals is blocking traffic between the US and Canada, to force the governments to end Covid-related restrictions. Brilliantly played - the restrictions were about to be lifted anyway, and now they can claim victory.
Perhaps they should hold a demonstration in the evening demanding that the sun must rise, and in the morning gloat about the triumph of man over nature.
Stupid as stupid does.