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I had a bad feeling sooner or later, 1 of the states would be going this route. Now we wait and see if this passes in NC and if so will other states follow.

NC bill page 1 can be seen here.

If you don't live in North Carolina and would like to help, you could call NC state reps and inform them via email/phone that you will not visit or vacation in the state if this bill passes.

If you live in North Carolina, email your representative and encourage them to vote NO on House bill 237.

Feel free to use the following template when composing your email (template courtesy of: @Guiness_Pig on twitter).

Thank you very much.

-----------------------

Representive [NAME],

I am writing to you as a concerned citizen of North Carolina regarding the proposed repeal on the health and safety exemption to the ban on masking in public. This legislation poses grave risks to the health and safety of our state's residents, undermines our economy, conflicts with expert guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). First and foremost, allowing the repeal of the health and safety exemption would jeopardize the well-being of North Carolinians, especially during times of infectious disease outbreaks.

As we have witnessed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, masking has proven to be one of the most effective measures in preventing the spread of contagious diseases. N.C.'s economy stands to suffer if this repeal is enacted. The criminalization of masking in public would mean exclusion from participation in society or acceptance of significant health risks for the 12% of people who regularly mask in public (YouGov poll, Sept '23). Those individuals would not be able to attend work or school, travel, and patronize businesses without the protection of masking. This could result in widespread loss of income and employment, increases in property foreclosures and medical debt, and a boom in bankruptcies.

The proposed repeal directly contradicts guidance by the CDC, which recommends masking for high-risk and vulnerable individuals. Disregarding this advice not only endangers public health but undermines the credibility of our state's response to public health emergencies. Repealing the health and safety exemption would violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which recognizes masking as an accommodation. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, protecting the 2.5 million North Carolinians living with disabilities. It would be unconscionable to enact laws which would ban access to the use of common medical devices like wheelchairs, walkers, prosthetics, and hearing aids in public. As surgical masks and medical respirators are categorized by the FDA as Class II Medical Devices, they should be treated no differently under the law. Denying individuals the right to mask in public would be discriminatory, resulting in legal challenges against the state.

I am equally concerned by potential impacts to our democracy. People who mask for health reasons would be unable to safely vote and fulfill other civic obligations, such as jury duty. Moreover, it is well established that people in marginalized groups mask for health reasons at higher rates than than non-marginalized peers. A repeal of the health exemption would disproportionately impact  those who already face biased treatment from law enforcement. Excluding vulnerable and marginalized people from safe participation in democratic processes and civic life harms those individuals and communities, minimizing their voices and denying them the representation they are ensured under the U.S. Constitution.

I implore you to vote NO on HB 237 and instead prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, support policies that align with expert guidance, and protect the rights of vulnerable people and individuals with disabilities.

Sincerely,
        Your Constituent
         Name/Address/City/State/Country
         Email/Phone

NC Rules Committee meeting regarding NC mask ban will begin at 9am 5/15 and can be streamed here:

https://www.ncleg.gov/LegislativeCalendarEvent/132761#videoHeader

 HB 237 has passed by 30 to 15, along partisan lines. This bill makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to wear a mask, punishable by 6-18 months of probation and a fine, with greater punishment with successive offenses.

I would ask that anyone who reads this thread within the next day or two to use this tool

https://www.ncmegaphone.com/

it gives you a way to email all members of the NC House at one time. If you're using Microsoft Outlook, multiple emails are denoted in a slightly different way, so make sure to select that option if that is what you use. The tool splits the House into 2 lists, because some clients/servers won't allow for more than 100 email addresses at one time.

Reference NC House Bill 237 as your email subject. Email them and tell them your concerns and stories. If you do not live in NC, tell them how you feel about it. Let them know you will not vacation, visit, or even pass through NC if you can help it. Reference this list of companies headquartered in NC (https://www.zippia.com/advice/largest-companies-in-north-carolina/) and tell them you are reconsidering the use of their products/services. Tell the companies that, too.

Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

House Bill 237 came out of committee and it is actually worse than it was before. I'm not sure how they managed that, but that is the nature of the Republican party. Always. Make. Things. Worse. [My opinion and not necessarily the opinion of the owner of this forum or any members besides myself.]

It was supposed to be voted on today, but Democrats were able to move the vote to Tuesday, June 11 to allow for public feedback. As if feedback made much difference anyway.

Bill, as it stands currently, allows for "medical grade masks" (no specification for N95 masks so are they to be illegal?), masking to avoid SPREADING disease, but no specification to avoid GETTING INFECTED by disease and now members of the public can demand a person wearing a mask remove their mask for identification.

Revisions can be seen here:

https://x.com/CaseyReber35/status/1798747198341194046

If you are concerned about this bill, especially after revisions, contact the members of the committee, especially the Republicans.

Committee members:

https://x.com/dontwantadothis/status/1798480777786822895

Finally, you can also contact NC Tourism at (1-800-847-4862). If you are monitoring this situation and are seeing people say they will not vacation or visit NC, let them know that. If you, personally, will not spend money in NC, then let them know that. Tell them specifically if House Bill 237 is passed by the state legislature, NC is a no go state for you.