Masked

I’m baffled by the escalating violence by people opposed to wearing facemasks in a retail business. There is an increasing number of stories of retail and public transportation employees being shot and assaulted for confronting unmasked patrons. And above it all are people screaming that requiring masks is a violation of their civil and constitutional rights.

That’s not true, no matter how loudly they shout it!

Yes, several states, including Pennsylvania, have issued executive orders requiring businesses and patrons to wear masks. However, there are no constitutional or civil rights laws allowing customers to sue private businesses for enforcing dress codes (such as requiring shoes, or shirts, or masks) as long as the codes are not discriminatory and are applied uniformly to all patrons. For instance, an upscale restaurant requiring gentlemen to wear a jacket and tie cannot turn one tie-less guest away while accepting another. For those of us who can’t go to an upscale restaurant, we still see the “No Shoes – No Shirts – No Service” signs at grocery stores, doctor’s offices, movie theaters, etc.

One group that advocates for going barefoot (I agree!) posted letters on their website from every state health department across the country confirming there were no health laws that warrant customers to wear shoes in a business. Because this all seemed too conveniently self-serving I questioned their authenticity, but I was unable to find anything to contradict their information.

Why, then aren’t people screaming, spitting, licking, punching, and shooting because they can’t go shopping with bare feet? Because businesses are allowed to set such rules. “No Shoes – No Shirts – No Service” has been a business mantra for decades, and everyone has managed to abide by those rules just fine. Adding “No Masks” is no different in the eyes of the law, whether they are required by the business or the state.

Of course, I’ve seen some shoppers wearing their mask around their chin defiantly claiming, “I’m wearing it.” Obviously, this negates the protective nature of the mask, but they’re exalting in having seemingly scammed the system. Next, I guess, we’ll see them excitedly waving shoes on their hands saying, “I’m wearing them!” SMH.

I, personally, don’t like wearing a mask. It’s uncomfortable on my ears and I feel like I’m constantly pulling it down to keep it from creeping up my cheeks and into my eyes. I don’t wear it when I’m driving in my car (I see people doing this all the time. What’s the point?), but when I’m walking in the parking lot and through the store I have it on. When I get back to my car, I take it off and go on my merry way. Not sure how I do it, but for those 15 draconian minutes I’m in the store I persevere with the discomfort and nuisance knowing I’m protecting other shoppers.