Protect the right to prevent allergies, dust, wildfire smoke and disease.

Protect the right to prevent allergies, dust, wildfire smoke and disease. The North Carolina Senate has passed a bill that would restrict people from wearing masks. This is in direct conflict with public health, protection against cold and flus, COVID protection for immunocompromised and cancer patients like myself. It is also in direct conflict with federal law including the American Disability Act. Not only does this bill need to be stopped in North Carolina, but in every state. I do not want to see this in my state, EVER. And I will personally campaign against any politician who attempts to make a similar proposal at any level of government. This will include writing letters to the editors of local, national and international press. I cannot live without masking and I have the right to keep myself alive. The right to protect myself against all airborne diseases and allergies through mask-wearing should be safeguarded as an essential public health measure. No one can tell why I am wearing a mask, that I am allergic to dust, that I need to get to a work function without an asthma attack, or to the oncologist without a cold that could put me in the hospital. Masks have proven effective in curbing transmission rates during viral outbreaks, and reducing the risks faced by vulnerable populations. If anything the state should be providing free mask protections. And supporting the companies that produce protective gear by subsidizing the cost of protective gear. Any attempts to restrict this basic precaution against preventable illnesses must be immediately and firmly rejected to allow disabled people and cancer patients in particular to prevent worsening of our medical conditions. It’s simple - regardless of political allegiances, the people are organizing to stop supporting politicians who are against protective gear that prevents the spread or worsening of disease. Government should be paying for this as public health measures, not attempting to curtail personal liberties or exacerbating the shrinking societal divides on this or any public health issue.