@arstechnica Really convenient how banning masks will also help de-anonymize protesters. No way that's their main goal, governments always push for the safety of protesters.
@arstechnica This what voting for people who are ignorant about health and science gets you.
They are going to really pay a terrible price when the next pandemic comes.
@arstechnica@indubitablyodin some people are going off on republicans here. Just want to point out that this bill would not be possible if democrats had not also abandoned masking in favor of going back to normal at the expense of literally all of us
@arstechnica We will not even be changing planes in North Carolina if this passes. Imagine getting arrested for masking in the departure lounge at the airport!
@arstechnica The timing of this points to intent: not to survive court challenges that can take months to years, but to give police the ability to arrest peaceful and cooperative protestors who aren’t protesting on private property, and it allows authorities to say that only lawful protests are acceptable.
Sometimes the point of absurd laws isn’t to survive longterm, it’s to quash a movement’s momentum. This is why legal challenges to such laws should induce stays immediately.
@arstechnica What nonsenses. Since I have long COVID, I ge sick really quick and it also maches my Symptoms worse every time. Of course I mask up in bussy places. Just lucky I'm far away from NC.
@arstechnica As the hiding of identity seems to be their main concern, perhaps some effort could go toward the technology needed to make masks transparent?
@arstechnica Love the "less government" ideal the Republican party espouses right up until they can use government to force their backwards belief systems on the general public.
@arstechnica So they've been warned about possible (read: likely) problems with their legislation, and they're passing it anyway. This is why you should never elect Republicans.
They did not make it illegal to "publicly mask for health reasons", but removed the clause that previously exempted wearing a mask for health reasons from a law that broadly made masking in public illegal.
Still stupid and reprehensible, but significantly different to your byline and heading