Republican senators in North Carolina recently passed a bill called the “Unmasking Mobs and Criminals” bill, on party lines, to revoke a pandemic-era law allowing masks to be worn in public. The bill focuses on enhancing penalties for people wearing masks during crimes, such as protests and blocking traffic during demonstrations. The bill does not allow for exceptions for those who feel their health or the health of their loved ones is compromised without a mask, leading to concerns about potential health risks for the public.
Despite Democratic senators calling for amendments to allow for exceptions based on health concerns, the bill was passed in the Senate. Senator Natasha Marcus expressed concerns that the bill criminalizes individuals trying to protect themselves or others, especially those who are immunocompromised or going through chemotherapy. The ACLU of North Carolina opposes the bill, stating that it is unconstitutional and seems aimed at suppressing dissent, particularly in response to pro-Palestine protests on college campuses.
Proponents of the bill argue that it is necessary due to recent protests and demonstrations that have escalated into clashes with law enforcement. The bill would eliminate the previous health and safety exemption for mask-wearing in public and prohibit individuals from wearing masks for health reasons. However, opponents of the bill argue that it places undue burden on law enforcement to determine what constitutes a crime and that it is a culture war vote catering to a specific base.
The bill will now go back to the House, where it was initially proposed, and may still be altered before being signed into law. Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, could potentially veto the bill if it passes, although Republicans currently hold a super-majority in both the House and Senate. Critics of the bill point out that the health exemption for mask-wearing was added at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and that repealing it would roll back public masking rules to their pre-pandemic state, designed in 1953 to combat Ku Klux Klan activity in North Carolina.
Individuals like Stacy Staggs, a Charlotte resident with immunocompromised twin daughters, are concerned about the potential impacts of the bill. Staggs’s daughters were born prematurely and have chronic health conditions requiring them to wear masks in public for protection. She expressed disbelief that protecting health and safety could be considered a criminal act and emphasized the importance of these measures for vulnerable individuals. The debate over the bill continues, with supporters highlighting concerns about public safety during protests while opponents focus on individual health risks and constitutional issues.
