1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I urge you to speak out publicly against mask bans and not to support mask ban legislation. I was shocked to see your name in favor of mask bans. Seeing anti-mask rhetoric in New York State is absolutely terrifying. COVID is still a major public health concern, along with other airborne diseases that could easily be mitigated through mask usage. Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, COVID continues to kill and disable New Yorkers. Add to this that anti-vax movements have caused an outbreak of measles with no end in sight, while the current federal administration seems to be advocating a "just let it happen" approach to handling the bird flu running rampant throughout the country. Given that there are no longer any public health considerations for COVID or other airborne diseases, the choice to wear a mask has become the only protection available to avoid infection with diseases that carry a risk of death or long term disability. The state has no right to outlaw the individual choice to avoid infection by wearing a mask. Those of us with immune compromised family members, or individuals who may be immune compromised themselves, deserve to have this one small form of protection so that they may continue to engage in public activities and not be forced to isolate to avoid severe illness, long-term debilitating disability, or death. You are very lucky if you have not experienced the daily fear of contracting an airborne disease that may kill a loved one. I urge you to reconsider your stance on mask bans and to support New Yorkers right to protect themselves from airborne illness, without fear of legal repercussions.