Results: Not wearing a mask during COVID-19 health emergency isn't a free speech right, appeals court says
Published on 02/08/2024
A federal appeals court has shot down claims that there's a First Amendment right not to wear face masks during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/wearing-mask-covid-19-health-emergency-isnt-free-106996423
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/wearing-mask-covid-19-health-emergency-isnt-free-106996423
QUESTIONS
GO to COMMENTS
Comments
1.
1.
A federal appeals court shot down claims Monday that New Jersey residents' refusal to wear face masks at school board meetings during the COVID-19 outbreak constituted protected speech under the First Amendment. During the pandemic, did you wear a face mask?
Always in a public place
58%
1517 votes
Only if it was required
32%
833 votes
Never
8%
219 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
31 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.65% | 17 | |
| Everywhere it made sense to wear it. | 0.04% | 1 |
| I still wear a mask indoors in public places. The pandemic isn't over and we are in the middle of a huge infection surge right now. | 0.04% | 1 |
| No laws say,must wear Face Diaper | 0.04% | 1 |
| I’m not American | 0.04% | 1 |
| sometimes. | 0.04% | 1 |
| Medical facilities | 0.04% | 1 |
| occasionally | 0.04% | 1 |
| I am Canadian | 0.04% | 1 |
| N/A | 0.04% | 1 |
| For awhile, then realized what was happening and stopped. | 0.04% | 1 |
| in crowded spaces | 0.04% | 1 |
| If there's a big out break,and I don't forget to . | 0.04% | 1 |
| sometimes | 0.04% | 1 |
| Very first month and half thats it | 0.04% | 1 |
2.
2.
The court found that refusing to wear a mask during a public health emergency didn't amount to free speech protected by the Constitution. "A question shadowing suits such as these is whether there is a First Amendment right to refuse to wear a protective mask as required by valid health and safety orders put in place during a recognized public health emergency. Like all courts to address this issue, we conclude there is not," the court said. Do you agree with the court's decision that refusing to wear a mask during a public health emergency didn't amount to free speech protected by the Constitution? Yes
51%
1316 votes
No
16%
408 votes
Undecided
23%
592 votes
Not Applicable
11%
284 votes
3.
3.
The court added: "Skeptics are free to — and did — voice their opposition through multiple means, but disobeying a masking requirement is not one of them. One could not, for example, refuse to pay taxes to express the belief that 'taxes are theft.' Nor could one refuse to wear a motorcycle helmet as a symbolic protest against a state law requiring them." Do you personally agree that wearing a mask is similar to paying taxes or wearing a helmet? Yes
44%
1156 votes
No
29%
753 votes
Undecided
18%
462 votes
Not Applicable
9%
229 votes
COMMENTS