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

I am disheartened to see the Democratic Party of 2024 embracing the 2020 Republican propaganda regarding masks. To hear people *I voted for* talking about banning masks is appalling. I wear a mask to protect my health. How dare you even contemplate taking that right away from me? As for the idea that anyone wishing to protect their health should just stay home, I remind you that vulnerable New Yorkers have a right to work, ride public transit, attend concerts, religious services, sporting events, etc. We also have a right to mitigate the risk of those activities by masking. Your rhetoric around masking conflates mask wearing with criminality. This is deeply offensive and short sighted. You are further marginalizing an already sidelined community. I urge you to support everyone’s right to mask if they choose.