Mandatory Mask Order in Oregon County For Whites Only

An Oregon county has decided to make people of color exempt from its mandatory mask policy, citing the potential for racial profiling. The decision comes as multiple counties in Oregon have ramped up face-covering requirements to slow the spread of coronavirus. 

Lincoln County's general directive requires everyone to wear a face-covering in any indoor public setting, or any outdoor setting where six feet of social distancing can't be maintained. But the county wrote on its website that "People of color who have heightened concerns about racial profiling and harassment due to wearing face coverings in public" are exempt from the rule. 

Other exemptions include children under the age of 12 and people with particular medical conditions or disabilities. 

The directive notes that it's "self-executing," and that no one should "intimidate or harass" those who don't comply. 

In Multnomah County to the north, there isn't an exception for people of color — but the county does point out the possibility of racial profiling, according to CBS affiliate KOIN.

"Violence and discrimination are a daily experience for people who are Black, Indigenous and people of color," the county said on its website, according to KOIN. "Racism and racist reactions to Black, indigenous, and people of color wearing face coverings is a reality. And yet we know face coverings can help people stay healthy and save lives. Multnomah County does not tolerate discrimination or violence toward individuals because of their race, ethnicity or identity."

This news comes as quite a suprise since recent studies have claimed that African-Americans are more likely to die from Covid-19 than Caucasian-Americans...

Health officials announced last week residents must wear face coverings in public settings where they may come within six feet of another individual who is not from the same household.

But people of color do not have to follow the new rule if they have “heightened concerns about racial profiling and harassment” over wearing the masks, officials said.

“No person shall intimidate or harass people who do not comply,” health officials said.

With mask requirements becoming more common, activists have raised concerns that the directives could put non-white people in danger.

“For many black people, deciding whether or not to wear a bandanna in public to protect themselves and others from contracting coronavirus is a lose-lose situation that can result in life-threatening consequences either way,” ReNika Moore, director of the ACLU’s Racial Justice Program, told CNN.

Let's unpack that for a moment. The coronavirus, which in itself is killing African-Americans at a higher rate than everyone else, is somehow less deadly than having "heightened concerns about racial profiling and harassment."

It seems officials in Oregon County have prioritized being "woke" over the health concerns of those in the African-American community.

Luckily, there are still voices of reason in this country.