Socio-Economics History Blog

Socio-Economics History Blog

‘How is This Legal?’ Oregon County Exempts ‘People of Color’ from Mandatory Face Mask Rule

by mosesman
FILE PHOTO. © Reuters / Kevin Lamarque
  • ‘How is This Legal?’ Oregon County Exempts ‘People of Color’ from Mandatory Face Mask Rule
    by https://www.rt.com/
    Oregon’s Lincoln County has created an exception for non-white residents in a new compulsory face mask order, citing concerns over racial profiling, but puzzled observers have deemed the move discriminatory, if not illegal.
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    The county’s public health directive mandates that “all individuals” in Lincoln “shall wear face coverings” in all public settings, including outdoor areas where proper social distancing is impossible. However, in addition to people with certain disabilities and children under 12 years old, the new order exempts “people of color who have heightened concern about racial profiling and harassment,” creating a clear racial distinction in the rules.
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    The order has prompted an outpouring of criticism and confusion, with netizens baffled that such a blatantly discriminatory policy could pass muster in 2020, some even labeling it outright racist.
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    The legality of the new order also became a hot topic, as many argued the rule would never stand up in a courtroom.
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    “Get arrested, someone!!! This is a lay-up civil rights case,”     one netizen urged, while another asked“How the hell is this legal?”
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