Oregon County Exempts Non-White People From Mandatory Face Mask Order To Avoid Racial Profiling
Lincoln County, Oregon officials have exempted non-white people from their new mandatory face mask order, claiming it is to avoid racial profiling. Last week Health officials mandated that all residents must wear face coverings while in public.
However, they clarified that the rule does not apply to people of color if they have “heightened concerns about racial profiling and harassment” while wearing masks. They add, “No person shall intimidate or harass people who do not comply. This Directive is intended to induce voluntary compliance and compliment education and encouragement of use of face coverings to protect ourselves and our community.”
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Additionally, ReNika Moore, director of the ACLU’s Racial Justice Program, previously told CNN, “For many black people, deciding whether or not to wear a bandanna in public to protect themselves and others from contracting coronavirus is a lose-lose situation that can result in life-threatening consequences either way. Not wearing a protective bandana goes against CDC recommendations and increases the risk of contracting Covid-19, but wearing one could mean putting their lives at risk of getting shot or killed because of racially-biased targeting.”
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