Idaho State Rep Introduces Legislation to Kneecap Localities Who Try to Force Mask Mandates that the State Doesn’t Have

The Idaho House State Affairs Committee cleared a path for a hearing on a bill introduced by Idaho State Rep. Karey Hanks (R) which would ban mask mandates in Idaho.

Hanks commented on the research she said she did, “on the physical and emotional and even mental injuries to our bodies, and possibly even our souls, as healthy individuals are required to wear these masks.”

She followed that by saying wearing a mask makes people not follow the other guidelines, “When people wear face masks, they tend to not social distance as much, not tend to wash their hands, take other safety precautions because they feel that they’re just taken care of because of the mask.”

The Health District that oversees Ada County (Boise) removed the mandate but Boise city doubled down because of the leftist Mayor Lauren McLean who was just elected in November.

11 cities including Boise and McCall have mask mandates which mean this bill would nullify these orders. The bill also mentions that schools can’t force students at schools or universities to wear masks.

This comes as states like Mississippi and Texas have announced they will be open to 100% capacity and are ending mask mandates. Representative Hanks seemed to want to follow suit in this new wave of ending COVID-19 restrictions.

Rep. Hanks made it clear that people can still wear masks if they wish and private businesses can still enforce them under HS28688.

With a Republican-controlled State House, State Senate, and a Republican Governor the passage and signing of this bill seem likely but not definite as the Governor has been on board with some COVID-19 policies like implementing gathering limits.

With different rules from city to city, there is much confusion on what the rules actually are. This bill would make it clear that there will be no mask mandates allowed except for private businesses will be allowed to make that choice without government policy.

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