Mask rules do not infringe on human rights

Re: ‘Give your heads a shake,’ premier tells anti-maskers using his phone number to spoof COVID-19 tracing efforts, Sept. 30

As a former Niagara resident, I made the mistake of perusing Niagara’s “Hugs Not Masks” Facebook group. To say it was filled with misinformation and hyperbole would be an understatement. Numerous posts claimed rights under the Human Rights Code and Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms were being infringed, and one post even compared being asked to leave a store for refusing to wear a mask to the treatment of African-Americans during segregation.

Where to even begin?

First, a store can refuse you service for any reason so long as it doesn’t discriminate under the Human Rights Code. Asking you to wear a mask (assuming you don’t have a disability that prevents you from doing so) is no different than asking you to wear a shirt or shoes. It is not an infringement of your human rights.

Second, imposition of a mask requirement by government is not a violation of your charter rights. It’s a minimal infringement of your liberty in order to keep everyone safe. If you’re unhappy about a mask mandate, wait until you hear about seatbelt laws. Third, if you think being forced to wear a mask is in any way comparable to living under segregation, or being Jewish in Nazi Germany, you need to give your head a shake.

And, maybe read a history book.

Alex Colangelo

Toronto