this post was submitted on 17 May 2024
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The non quippy answer:
Wearing masks other than theatrical or things like Halloween masks was prohibited in many places prior to covid.
Some places were explicitly anti protest from the 1900s (unions), others anti hate crime (KKK). Some just had it as a thing that can be tacked on to other crimes. My state has a law that makes it a misdemeanor to wear a mask to conceal your identity while commiting a crime.
These laws are not unique to the US.
When covid came along, most states that had restrictions passed laws adding exceptions for health related face coverings.
In response to people protesting Israeli actions in Palestine, North Carolina repealed their relaxation of the mask rules, and refused to add a health clause, arguing that even though it's illegal, it was illegal before covid and just never enforced, so it's fine.
They also included an exception that allows for secret societies to wear masks or hoods in a parade or demonstration if they have a permit. That's the KKK in a nutshell.
It's preposterous bullshit intended to work as an election year headline grabber, since it's anti mask, anti protester, and pro Israel all at once.