After employees receive threats, one city is forced to nix rule requiring face masks in businesses

[Poiuyt]

An emergency proclamation requiring face masks in stores and restaurants in Stillwater, Oklahoma, was nixed after store and restaurant owners received threats.

The proclamation was issued Thursday. Among other things, the order made businesses require patrons to cover their faces to combat the spread of coronavirus.

But on Friday, Mayor Will Joyce softened the rule to encourage, not require, face coverings, after several reports emerged of employees being verbally abused and being threatened with physical violence while trying to enforce the order -- all in just three hours of the rule going into effect.

"Many of those with objections cite the mistaken belief the requirement is unconstitutional, and under their theory, one cannot be forced to wear a mask. No law or court supports this view," said City Manager Norman McNickle in a statement. "It is further distressing that these people, while exercising their believed rights, put others at risk."

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/02/us/face-masks-stillwater-oklahoma-trnd/index.html

The fascists are taking over.

[Drum]

1. A scary possible precedent

[dflprincess]

2. Giving in to terrorists is never a smart move

How is requiring masks any different than requiring shirts and shoes?

[jeffreyi]

3. No shirt, no shoes, no mask, no service.

Unconstitutional? Since when?

[elleng]

4. The mayor needs a spine.

[procon]

5. That's a ridiculous excuse for a flip flop.

If they were were protesting against laws banning peeing in public, would he cave into their demands, too?

Unlike the fascists, the mayor has the rule of law to back him up. Oh some big teeth in the law. He should have increased the penalties for threatening any workers who were in compliance with the laws. Add a civil fine of $10K and some jail time. If they are using guns as part of their threat posturing, then add criminal charges, confiscate all their weapons and ban them from ever owning another gun.

The last thing he should have done was caved in. He set a very bad example, and put other people at risk to appease a few lawless thugs. This will not end well.

[dem4decades]

6. People should lose their right to go to the hospital if they refuse to wear a mask.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

7. I can hardly wait to track the rise of Covid 19

in Stillwater.

[Crunchy Frog]

8. Why don't they just arrest people who threaten others with violence?

Why do they keep capitulating to them?

This country is heading for complete lawlessness, and ultimately the status of a failed state.