This is article is a public declaration that of opposition of against mandatory mask laws and in
support of individuals rights and decisions to wear face coverings or not wear any face coverings if they so choose
When I learned that the print on demand company I use to run my shop started making face coverings in
relation to COVID, and consequently I was in a position to put some of my designs on said masks and sell
them for me personally it raised a slight ethical question because I came across this information only
after masks had become mandatory in my home state.
While I agree with people being able to wear masks if it will make them feel better about getting out and
living life during these trying times, and for years I have been of the opinion anyone with a cold or flu
making their decision as an individual to wear a mask and protect others from their illness should certainly
not be discouraged I whole-heartedly and completely disagree with mandating mask wearing over COVID.
I have news people, by the time COVID was even something people were making policy changes about I knew
several people who had already had it, and whom have recovered long before the mask mandate. Most COVID
related policies I have seen in any given business have looked less like anything to do with public
health and more to do with whatever crazy policy they have been looking to introduce without their
customers complaining forever, and yes there are stores that have lost my business for it. Never mind
that a disturbing percentage of these policies were implemented so late in the game I have my doubts
they should be implemented at all.
I am not saying that I want anyone to get sick despite what some people have accused me of for my
stance on the matter, I have seen this illness do what might be permanent damage to at least one
person, and it was nothing short of miracle that kept her out of the hospital.
At this point were it not for the mandates I openly admit I would not wear the masks or other face
coverings for any reason, however during a time when I had reason to believe I could have been exposed
and quarantining was out of the question because my living situation made it impossible I did wear a
cloth face covering (bandanna) in certain situations. But again that was a personal decision, as I
believe the decision to wear a face covering should be, and that was well before the mandate. I
also choose to stop wearing them when I had reason to believe that particular situation that I
personally had faced was resolved.
Had someone said here's the masks I could put my designs on and there had been no mandate there
would be no question for me. Just have fun slapping my designs on the masks, have them out there
so if people would prefer to have a little fun with their face coverings it's there for them. All
things considered my final decision as reflected in my shop was the government is the one over
stepping, I am just offering people a chance to have a little fun with this newer section of their wardrobe.
However I did consider it necessary to write this as I was concerned at some point down the road
(if they haven't already) people might mistake my willingness (and that of others) to make and sell
masks for support of a mandate that pandemic or no pandemic should never have been put in place. To
anyone reading this, let this stand as proof that one does not mean the other.
To anyone on the fence about deciding to wear masks as a matter of personal choice, let this
also stand as proof that choosing to wear a face covering never was and never will be in and
of itself support of mandate against personal freedom.
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E. S. Pfahl
