Violation of Rights

   Thanks to the Delta variant we are back to wearing masks at work. Again. I also see that some places are considering mask mandates again. Some governors have issued orders specifically banning mask mandates.  The level of outrage I'm seeing against wearing masks is something I do not understand. Some people are acting like spoiled children at a candy store when it comes to the topic of masks. Their rights are being violated. The whole virus thing is a hoax. Masks don't prevent anything.

   If masks don't prevent disease from spreading then why do surgeons wear them when they operate on people? When I was a nurse's aid caring for a patient who had TB why did I have to wear one? 

  As for the issue of violated rights, I have made a list of things that I and others in society have to do that are a clear violation of rights. 

   I used to see signs in stores that said, "No shoes, No shirt, No service". It's perfectly legal for a business to deny service if you if do not follow their dress code (provided the code isn't discriminatory) This is a clear violation of rights. What if I don't want to wear shoes? What if shoes hurt my feet? Why should it even matter if I'm wearing shoes? I have the right to wear or not wear what I want. No one, including a business, has the right to dictate what I wear.

   Construction workers and visitors to job sites are required to wear hard hats. What if they don't want to? Aren't their rights being violated? They should have an option to wear a hard hat. After all, no one else will be harmed if a construction worker or visitor chooses not to wear a hard hat. The same goes for steel toed shoes as well.

   There is a law requiring people in a car to wear their seatbelts. Those not belted in can incur a fine if caught. Isn't this an egregious violation of rights? Why should I have to wear a seatbelt? I read on the internet they aren't truly safe plus they are uncomfortable. They cut into my neck.  It should be my choice. If I get into an accident no one else will be harmed if I'm not wearing a seatbelt. This is an outrage. Even worse, children under a certain age are required to be in a car seat. Why? Shouldn't that be up to the parent? Surely they know what is best for their children. The government has no business telling parents that their children need to be in restraints that could potentially cause them harm down the road.

   While we are on the subject of cars, why do I need a license? I should not be required to have a license in order to drive. It's a conspiracy to get personal information and sell it. If I know how to drive a car I shouldn't have to prove it to anyone. I should be able to buy a car and drive it without any type of license. Clear violation of rights. Protests should be organized. 

   There are all kinds of rights being seriously violated. Workers being required to wear uniforms and closed toe shoes. Vegetarian grocery store clerks being made to ring up meat purchases. Landlords refusing to rent to people who have companion animals or charging extra rent or deposit to those that do. Very unfair.

   These are just a few things that people do mostly without thinking about it that could be considered as much a violation of rights as having to wear a mask. 

   I do understand not liking to wear a mask. They aren't comfortable and I tend to have trouble breathing while wearing one as I tend to hold my breath. (Maybe to keep my glasses from fogging up.) However, one of my fellow Toastmasters showed all of us a picture that put it all into perspective. He showed a picture of a soldier wearing full protective gear including what I think was a gas mask. This is what this man has to wear at his job to stay safe. I'm only being asked to wear a cloth mask to keep myself and others safe. If he can do it without complaining, I can too.