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

It’s absolutely horrifying to see anti-mask rhetoric making an appearance in New York State. COVID continues to kill people, several strains of bird flu are threatening to jump to human infection and measles, rubella, and other airborne diseases are on the rise. I wear a mask daily when in public in order to keep myself and my family safe and to prevent making others sick. When NY abandoned COVID conscious people with its “you do you” approach, masks became the only protection available to avoid infection with diseases that carry a risk or death or long term disability. The claim that wearing masks somehow prevents catching criminals is such a pathetic and transparent lie. There are ample ways to catch criminals without forcing sickness on people who want to take action to remain healthy. The state has no right to tell an individual that they can’t protect themselves from COVID. The state has no right to outlaw the individual choice to avoid infection by wearing a mask. Do not make this last protection we have against the law. You have no right to mandate infection and sickness.