Police Stop Raises Questions About Coronavirus Masks

Two men with masks being followed
William Anderson
April 2, 2020

Masks are a preventative measure people have increasingly chosen to take to cut their chances of spreading coronavirus

Wearing a mask can help protect us from spreading it if we’re sick, and may help us to keep from getting sick - but it doesn’t stop police from harassing us, as two Black men learned.

Two Black men posted a video in a Wood River, Illinois, Walmart of an officer escorting them out. The reason why is disturbing: they were wearing surgical masks. The reason they were doing so was clearly in response to the pandemic, but their removal brings up a very real point.

Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said the officer  “was mistaken when it came to the store’s policy prohibiting masks.” That still doesn’t make sense because the WHOLE COUNTRY is full of people wearing masks!

This situation tells us something we all need to consider right now...

The implications for wearing masks are much different for us. While there are benefits to wearing masks, the police may take face covering as an opportunity to harass us. However, we can’t let that stop us from being safe! We have a right to protect our health.

Don’t panic. Take the important precautions and stay at home when you can. Practice social distancing and avoid unnecessary contact in public to flatten the curve. Black people are more likely to be stopped by police and jailed, and that’s the last place we want to be in a pandemic!

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