In a memo, the department explains that race, socioeconomic status, health conditions, past experience, and compliance are some of the reasons.
MADISON, Wis. – Many people wonder why there is no mandatory policy for wearing masks in Madison. Last week, Public Health Director Janel Heinrich said: “While we know that masks work to help reduce the spread of the virus, a mandatory masking policy can be an undue burden for some people. People may fear racial profiling or discrimination based on the use, or not, of covering their faces. ”
A petition that now has around 5,000 signatures is circulating in Madison calling on the city to require facial masks and demanding that a city-funded mask distribution program be implemented. But not everyone believes that the answer is that simple.
Madeline Hafner is an expert on racial disparities at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Hafner said racial discrimination would be an adverse consequence of a mandatory mask requirement and is a legitimate concern among communities of color, especially for black men.
“We live in a racialized society that does not offer people of color the same protection in their masks,” said Hafner. “They may want to do whatever is right to protect others and protect themselves, but they will bear the unfair burden of the repercussions of wearing a mask.”
Hafner said there is an implicit bias in our society when we see a person of color wearing a mask. He said they are often perceived as threats, and especially right now, that the added stress is making many people of color afraid of how they might be perceived if wearing a mask was mandatory, even if everyone was required to wear one.
“It is the impact of how we respond as white people to perceiving people of color in those masks that puts that stress on them. So I think for us, we should continue to do our own work to make sure that we are not putting a stressor or an additional burden on people of color, ”said Hafner.
The public health department also released a memo detailing additional reasons not to implement a mandatory mask policy.
The memo says:
“Some health conditions can prevent people from wearing a cloth face covering. These can include chronic conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s, autism spectrum disorder, or COPD / emphysema; Wearing a face mask can be challenging, dangerous, or stressful for people with disabilities. In addition to medical considerations, people may not feel safe wearing a mask for many reasons, including emotional, behavioral, and traumatic experiences. “
The note also states that socioeconomic status also plays a role in the decision.
“Possible consequences of implementing mandatory masking may include loss of wages, if the employer does not consider the reasons why masking may not be an option for that individual, limiting access to certain commercial spaces, such as access The supermarket, which could lead to increased food insecurity, generally requires that people choose between their safety or that they can access spaces that support their ability to access basic needs. “
The memo also states that there are problems in trying to enforce this rule.
“The application of the masking requirements has resulted in violence in other parts of the country, both among the police and among private citizens. This is certainly not something we want to see in Madison and Dane County. Using local law enforcement resources to enforce facial coverage requirements would diminish your ability to support other security and public service functions. Furthermore, law enforcement efforts that include fines have resulted in financially penalizing people in a climate where many are already financially affected. ”
The petition demanding a mandatory mask policy states: “The alternative is more blockades, the failure of beloved local companies, and serious illness and death. Wearing a mask not only protects yourself, but also protects others, especially our essential workers and those who do not have the luxury of working from home. “
Even though wearing masks is not a requirement, Dr. Jeff Pothof of UW Health said, “From a medical point of view, the jury has issued the verdict. If we are in public near other people, we should wear a mask at this time. “
Although Pothof urges the community to wear a mask as often as possible, he acknowledged that the public health department’s reasons for not wearing it were “legitimate concerns.”
“I don’t think we want to go after people who can’t get masks with some kind of mandatory order. But I don’t think it should be confused with the lack of benefit on the medical side for wearing the mask, “said Pothof.” That benefit is clear. I think if we have segments of our community that are having difficulty acquiring a mask or obtaining a mask, the Effort should really focus on what we can do, as a broader community, to ensure that those people have access to a mask just like everyone else. “
Public health officials said they are working to make the masks more accessible.
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