WISCONSIN –The Department of Natural Resources Secretary, Preston Cole, took the intent of Wisconsin Democratic Governor Tony Evers a bit literal.
Recently, Evers issued a public emergency order in which he is requiring all people, over the age of 5, to wear masks even when indoors. Cole apparently believes that order, which gives exemptions if you are in your own home, should mean that all employees wear them in order to set a good example for others.
The order itself states that residents are required to wear the masks if they are with anyone outside of their family or residence. It also allows for exceptions to be made when people are trying to eat, drink, or swim, and of course for medical reasons.
In ordering this mandate, Evers said:
“We need to get back to working together statewide to flatten the curve and to prevent the spread of this virus. The most important thing you can do is serve as an example to those around you by wearing a mask or face covering, practicing physical distancing, and following best safety practices.”
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers issued a statewide mask mandate amid a spike in coronavirus cases, setting up a conflict with Republican state lawmakers. Evers, a Democrat, lost a legal battle in May over an order closing most nonessential businesses. https://t.co/UpUpGqyzJJ
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 31, 2020
Cole, who may be overstepping his bounds or just simply trying to do the right thing and being overzealous, is now requiring all of his employees to wear masks when there may be a chance of an outside person viewing the video conference, even if they are in the own home.
This policy was implemented through an email that Cole sent to his employees on July 31st.
In the email, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, he said:
“Also wear your mask, even if you are home, to participate in a virtual meeting that involves being seen -such as on Zoom or another video-conferencing platform -by non-DNR staff. “Set the safety example which shows you as a DNR public service employee care about the safety and health of others.”
Me: No government agency can make a rule ridiculous enough to surprise me.
Wisconsin DNR: Hold my beer. https://t.co/qWCycS9It9
— Brett Crosby (@mbacowboy) August 11, 2020
DNR spokeswoman Megan Sheridan said:
“By wearing a mask while video conferencing with the general public, we visually remind folks that masking is an important part of navigating the business of natural resources during this tumultuous time,” according to the McClatchy News.
So, attempting to set an example that wearing a mask indoors is important, in a setting in which everyone knows is pointless….not sure how that translates to the general public.
Sheridan has another reason why the mandate was passed:
“We ask staff to wear masks when on externally facing calls is that, taken out of context, a screenshot of a staff person or high ranking department official, if not properly attributed, could be misinterpreted to suggest that state employees are not properly following the Governor’s directive.”
In other words, the DNR has a belief that someone will take a picture of another on a video conference, and spin that to make others believe that employee does not care about the order.
How about, if something like that happens, explain the circumstances instead of making your employees do something ridiculous and uncomfortable?
The Medical Director of Infection Control at University of Wisconsin Health, Nasia Safdar, said there is no apparent reason to wear a mask while the person is at home unless there is a someone who has COVID-19 there.
“Beyond that, there is not a reason to routinely wear a mask in your home if that risk isn’t there.”
Republicans, specifically Wisconsin State Representative Joe Sanfelippo, do not agree with the mandate.
“I’m more inclined to support things that actually do help as opposed to just putting on an appearance of helping.”
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Oregon County: Non-white people are “exempt” from mandatory face mask order due to “racial profiling”
LINCOLN COUNTY, OR – Health officials announced last week that all residents must wear face coverings in public, but that certain individuals, including “people of color,” do not need to comply with the directive.
Issued June 16 by the Lincoln County Public Health Administrator and the Lincoln County Health Officer, the Directive orders that all residents must wear face coverings at indoor public settings or outdoor public locations where they cannot maintain six feet of distancing from another individual who is not from their household.
The Directive also made clear who does not need to comply with it:
“Persons with health/medical conditions that preclude or are exacerbated by wearing a face covering.
“Children under the age of 12. Children over the age of 2 but under the age of 12 are encouraged to wear face coverings but not required to do so.
“Persons with disabilities that prevents them from using the face covering as described in this Directive. These persons must be reasonably accommodated to allow them access to goods and services.
“People of color who have heightened concerns about racial profiling and harassment due to wearing face coverings in public.”
The Directive further noted that any violation “does not constitute or create grounds for private persons or public employees, including law enforcement, to stop, detain, issue a citation or undertake any other enforcement action” against those who do not comply.
The exemption for people of color addresses fears in the black and Latino communities that homemade masks could exacerbate racial profiling. Trevon Logan, a black economics professor at Ohio State University, explains why he is against wearing homemade face coverings:
“We have a lot of examples of the presumed criminality of black men in general,” he told CNN. “And then we have the advice to go out in public in something that … can certainly be read as being criminal or nefarious, particularly when applied to black men.”
Logan is not alone in his fears of wearing a non-medical face covering. In a tweet, Aaron Thomas said:
“I don’t feel safe wearing a handkerchief or something else that isn’t CLEARLY a protective mask covering my face to the store because I am a Black man living in this world. I want to stay alive but I also want to stay alive.”
Thomas also wrote an opinion piece for The Boston Globe explaining why he does not feel safe wearing a face mask.
In another tweet, Phil jokingly comments on Dr. Oz showing how to place a bandana on one’s face:
“Dr Oz going to get people shot lol.”
Logan says the problem hinges on racial stereotypes:
“This is in the larger context of black men fitting the description of a suspect who has a hood on, who has a face covering on. It looks like almost every criminal sketch of any garden-variety black suspect.”
In addition, bandanas are “reportedly” often associated with gang affiliation and criminality. The Los Angeles Police Department provides information on how gangs are identified and mentions how both black and Hispanic gangs wear bandanas:
“Clothing. The uniform of Hispanic gangs is standard and easily recognizable. Most gang members adopt a basic style that includes white T-shirts, thin belts, baggy pants with split cuffs, a black or blue knit cap (beanie) or a bandana tied around the forehead similar to a sweat band.
“Black gang members are individualistic in their dress. Black gangs tend to identify themselves by adopting certain colors. The ‘Crips’ identify themselves with the colors of blue or black or a combination of the two. ‘Blood’ gangs generally use red accessories, such as caps or bandanas, to identify themselves.”
Federal mask guidelines fail to acknowledge the fear that some people have, according to ReNika Moore, director of the ACLU’s Racial Justice Program.
“For many black people, deciding whether or not to wear a bandana in public to protect themselves and others from contracting coronavirus is a lose-lose situation that can result in life-threatening consequences either way,” Moore told CNN.
“Not wearing a protective bandana goes against CDC recommendations and increases the risk of contracting Covid-19, but wearing one could mean putting their lives at risk of getting shot or killed because of racially-biased targeting.”
The CDC is still studying the effects of Covid-19 on racial and ethnic minority groups, but has reported that “current data suggest a disproportionate burden of illness and death among racial and ethnic minority groups.”
Alex Beyer of the Office of Health Equity, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, says masks are a “double bind” for black, Latino and indigenous people.
“While we cannot let racial bias allow us to judge people of color for wearing masks, it is just as inappropriate to judge them for not doing so.”
Beyer provides links that readers can check out, including the Harvard Implicit Test, to help people understand their own hidden biases.
Time for a flashback to an article from April 4, 2020:
Ocasio-Cortez claims Cuomo mortgage relief plan is “racist” and demands reparations for minorities
BROOKLYN, NY – You’ve gotta hand it to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez…she is the gift that keeps on giving. She seems to be outraged a lot. As a twenty-something female who is kind of ok looking, you’d think that perhaps she’d enjoy life a bit.
Not AOC. Every other day she is triggered about something.
Her latest point of consternation?
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s decision to suspend mortgage payments, but not rental payments during the pandemic. She is accusing him of giving “preferential treatment” to wealthier New Yorkers.
“If you called for a suspension or moratorium on mortgage payments, then we should also call for the same treatment on rent payments,” she whined on WNYC’s “The Brian Lehrer Show” Tuesday.
“We’re kind of creating a class and race issue. We’re essentially rewarding and offering preferential treatment to landowners and folks who are more wealthy, and we’re not offering that same kind of relief to renters,” the little Bernie-loving socialist said.
“Even from an economic perspective, it’s not responsible to ignore this problem.”
Manhunt begins for OB/GYN that cut the Oxygen off to AOC’s brain when she was born…. https://t.co/RqX3Reza9g
— the WYRE onlyne (@theWYREonlyne) April 3, 2020
Let’s face facts. Cuomo has a lot on his plate. He’s been busy giving daily press conferences on the state of New York where it concerns the pandemic, since the state and New York City have been hardest hit by the coronavirus.
He’s been issuing beaucoup executive orders, including the one that would suspend mortgage payments for up to three months.
Homeowners would still need to make good on the payments, however they would be moved to the back end of the mortgage and late fees would be waived, according to Cuomo.
“Eliminating that stressor for 90 days, I think, will go a long way,” he continues, noting that the plan could extend beyond 90 days depending on how the current situation plays out.
Of course, the leader of the squad couldn’t help herself and resorted to the old stand by—the “R” word.
“There’s absolutely…racial and class inequities baked into the crisis,” she told the radio station. “If you are able to stay home, you are a privileged person in this moment.”
She is a pathetic human being.
Ocasio-Cortez added that those who are required to work outside the home, such as grocery store workers, delivery drivers and those working in food prep, “are overwhelmingly lower income. They’re black. They’re brown…and they still have to pay rent tomorrow.”
Not too sure there, AOC but we have seen a TON of people out there still working…and guess what? They are all different races and ethnicities—white, black, brown—Asian, Hispanic—white collar workers and blue-collar workers, male and female.
Where does she get off trying to insinuate that only minorities are out working, while those who have “white privilege” are sitting at home? Not sure about you, but we are sick and tired of this woman’s continuous class warfare.
Ocasio-Cortez’s whining ties into a “rent strike” that renters in New York are trying to pull off, with her enthusiastic support.
Unlike the mortgage relief program proposed by Cuomo, which would still require the payments to eventually be made, the rent strike mob aren’t seeking to delay their rent. They want three months off from paying their rent.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces 90-day mortgage relief plan https://t.co/kHic7PvTif
— Thomas Kaine (@thomaskaine5) March 20, 2020
Forgoing three months rent is simply not going to be an option for a lot of landlords. They would likely need another “stimulus” boost from the government in order to be able to pull that off.
Also, renters have been giving some relief, with Cuomo agreeing to suspend all evictions for three months, which should allow time for renters to relive their relief checks from the government, as well as to start receiving enhanced unemployment benefits.
As noted, homeowners are not being relieved of their responsibilities. They are merely being deferred.
Where it concerns Ocasio-Cortez’s going back to her racist B.S., the reality of the situation has more to do with the amount of income they have available rather than the color of their skin. The policies enacted apply to all people equally.
Ocasio-Cortez also ignores home ownership figures in New York City. For example, as of 2018, 33% of residents in the five boroughs comprising the city was 33%, but varied based on which borough you lived in. In Manhattan for instance, it only comprised 24% home ownership, with the Bronx coming in at 20% However, in Queens it rose to 45% while in Staten Island it was 70%.
Now, let’s build race into the equation. In New York City, Asians, not whites were the primary group owning homes, at 41%, whites being second at 37%.
AOC acts like the current pandemic is unfairly targeting minorities, which is ludicrous. This pandemic is an equal opportunity killer, knowing no difference between black and white, rich and poor, male and female.
Speaking of minorities, wait until you hear this one. Now the genius of New York is calling for reparations for minorities—for coronavirus. Talk about your one-trick pony. This lady is truly out of her mind.
“COVID deaths are disproportionately spiking in Black + Brown communities,” she tweeted on Friday morning.
“Why? Because the chronic toll of redlining, environmental racism, wealth gap, etc. ARE underlying health conditions,” she said.
“Inequality is a comorbidity. COVID relief should be drafted with a lens of reparations,” she wrote.
COVID deaths are disproportionately spiking in Black + Brown communities.
Why? Because the chronic toll of redlining, environmental racism, wealth gap, etc. ARE underlying health conditions.
Inequality is a comorbidity. COVID relief should be drafted with a lens of reparations.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) April 3, 2020
Guess AOC has been playing with the dictionary or thesaurus again. Is she honestly serious?
Of course, Ocasio-Cortez is a hypocrite. While she’s preaching from on high about the coronavirus impacting her district, she held a so-called “virtual forum with constituents—from the comforts of her luxury Washington, D.C. digs.
Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, who is running against Ocasio-Cortez in the Democratic primary for her congressional seat, took note of the background of the room behind Ocasio-Cortez matching the design of the apartment complex where AOC lives in the DC Navy Yard area, a fashionable area of DC.
Caruso-Cabrera called the Crazy Bernie supporter out for being out of touch.
“While Queens and The Bronx have lines down the block at hospitals and grocery stores, AOC is holed up at a brand-new luxury apartment where she shops at Whole Foods in her lobby,” she said.
“That’s shameful. No wonder voters think that she is out of touch. She has golf-simulator and infinity pool, and Peloton cycle room as well as other luxuries while families in the Bronx and Queens are at the grocery store and where they are going to get their next paycheck. AOC isn’t even her to see their desperation and their struggle to survive with her own eyes,” Caruso-Cabrera said.
Michelle Caruso-Cabrera is a former anchor for CNBC, the financial network owned by NBC News
A favorite former-CNBC anchor Michelle Caruso Cabrera is running for the seat now held by AOC. She would be a great addition to the House Democrat team that lacks financial savvy or sense. https://t.co/3BH6zUHOa5
— AlanReynoldsEcon (@AlanReynoldsEcn) April 1, 2020
Ironically, Ocasio-Cortez had criticized her predecessor Joe Crowley for spending more time in Virginia than in the district.
Back then, she said, “Crowley doesn’t live here, send his kids to our schools, doesn’t drink our water or breathe our air [and] can’t possibly represent us.”
While Congress expanded unemployment benefits in its $2 trillion debt-busting coronavirus aid package, there was [thankfully] no mention of any type of reparations for poorer communities.
Look, we are not trying to downplay this virus and its impact on so-called “marginalized” communities. But the constant whining and railing about class warfare from someone who doesn’t even live in such conditions is tiring.
Perhaps if AOC hadn’t chased Amazon out of Bronxville last year some of these individuals that she acts so concerned about could have gotten themselves a nice job at Amazon. But she was too busy playing class warfare against Amazon, which by the way is hiring over 100,000 employees in the midst of the current economic downturn.
Rent strikes? Reparations? Hopefully come this November this overmatched bimbo can go back to doing what she does best—being a bartender. Her act gets older by the day.
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